info@wiringsolutions.ca London, ON 519-777-7773 & Chatham 519-351-6002
info@wiringsolutions.ca London, ON 519-777-7773 & Chatham 519-351-6002
How To Leverage Your Security System To Reinforce
Health & Safety Protocols and Business Policies
With the ever-present and growing threat of the COVID-19 virus, businesses around the world are implementing more robust health and safety policies to protect employees, customers, and site visitors. It is also possible to increase the strength of those measures and protocols by using your security systems to reduce the risk associated with COVID-19.
Visitor Management Systems
Promoting the use of initial screening via your visitor management system is an easy to create a base level defense system. You can also cordon off wider accessible areas to create and maintain a narrow access way throughout the initial screening process.
If you have a visitor management kiosk, here are some example questions you can ask as part of the initial screening prior to granting an individual access to the facility:
· Do you currently have a fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing?
· Have you recently returned from China, Italy, Japan, South Korea or other areas with confirmed cases of the coronavirus?
· Have you had close contact with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of coronavirus?
Ensuring that these or other permissible questions are asked will increase the level of security to those within your organization, in addition to your access control system.
Access Control Systems
As you prepare to make numerous decisions regarding your day to day operations, it is imperative to ensure your access control system and policies is strong enough to mitigate threats such as COVID-19.
If schools or community facilities have closed or cancelled activities they should:
-Review their alarm schedules
-Make any necessary changes to reflect different hours of operation
-Have equipment tested by qualified technicians to ensure full functionality
-Test/change batteries and other power supplies
-Ensure emergency call contacts and phone numbers are up to date
-Add, change or delete fob or access cards as required to mitigate potential threats
Take this time to ensure that those who have access to any facility/area actually require it. If they don’t, consider removing it or suspending it temporarily until the risk has been eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level. Taking the time to review all accesses and settings can ensure that they reflect the correct degree of security required for any protected areas.
Remote Services & Support
The directives to modify when and where we work is changing by the hour. More and more places of business are required to close, reduce hours/staff or work from home. As such, there is an increased need to leverage any remote services and support, especially for security.
It is paramount to ensure your security program is working properly when a facility is un-staffed. A number of technology manufacturers and security providers have remote services in place to assist with online learning and support to obtain technical training and/or certifications. Take advantage of these opportunities where possible.