How electronic security can enhance workplace safety during the pandemic

By Matthew Marriott, General Manager – UK, Ireland and Portugal, Stanley Security
 
If you are reviewing your safety measures to protect staff from COVID-19, no doubt you will already have put in place the more basic measures, such as extra cleaning, sanitation stations, 2m distance markings etc. However, you may not have considered using your security systems to assist in this. These systems are often multi-functional and may be leveraged to reinforce COVID-19 workplace policies and mitigate health, safety and security risks.

Maintaining Social Distancing

If you want to ensure social distancing is being observed, look to use CCTV video analytics software for footfall counting and/or crowd video analytics to identify when people are congregating in too small an area. The systems can generate an alert at a pre-set threshold and an operative can then communicate with those people advising them to move apart or away from the area.

Elevated Temperature Detection

Thermal cameras can have a role to play in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 but they are not medical devices and cannot diagnose COVID 19. They are solely able to identify and alert users to someone who has an elevated temperature, so should be used as one of a series of measures.

Access Denied

For staff who should be self-isolating, it’s essential they do not come into the workplace. An electronic access control system is the obvious solution here but ensure it’s one that’s easy to manage. You need to be able to instantly, but temporarily, remove access rights to an individual as soon as you have been informed of their health status. A cloud-based system is a good option as this can be done securely from afar. 

Look, Don’t Touch

Government guidance specifies that you should be ‘providing alternatives to touch-based security devices such as keypads’. When it comes to access control systems, proximity systems that enable users to present a card or tag at a reader, without needing to touch that reader, are an ideal, well-established alternative. Other options include biometric based systems, such as readers that feature iris recognition and facial recognition technology through a CCTV system.

Handle with Care

In many instances, access control and facial recognition systems can be integrated with other on-site equipment to help reduce the number of people touching equipment. You could also look to link your access control system to automatic hand sanitiser dispensers mounted at the entrances to your premises.  It could be set so ensure that people cannot gain access into your building or past reception if they haven’t sanitised their hands. 

Remote Monitoring

With the aim being for the minimum number of people to work on site, businesses should consider the safety, security and peace of mind of those that are. Here, remote monitoring services may be advisable. For example, CCTV monitoring combined with the latest video analytics can monitor employees who are working alone from a remote Monitoring Centre. For a comprehensive remote solution, all your on-site security – intercoms, access control and CCTV – can be used to take over the duties of some, if not all, manned guards on site. Monitoring Centre operatives have full control over the security systems and can activate/deactivate alarms, alert the emergency services, direct people or vehicles to specific areas. It’s an around the clock service, plus comes at a far lower cost than employing a team of security guards on site. This solution could also help to monitor the new drop off points or transfer zones that have been recommended, to prevent people passing things directly to each other. 

Review & Revise

To ensure the safety of all those on your premises it’s vital to review your health and safety procedures and take a long term approach. Employing appropriate technology now to help you manage the pandemic is an investment in your company’s future.