In this technology-driven time, it can be easy to think that it has solved all our problems – even security.
There are lots of hi-tech security systems out there that can boost your warehouse security — and they may well be a worthwhile investment. However, there are some things that technology, however good it is, simply cannot do.
If you’ve got one or more warehouses as part of your business, then a warehouse security guard — or a team of them — is a need, not a want.
Read on for ten compelling reasons why you need them.
1. Protect Your Employees
Your employees have a right to feel safe at work and to be cared for as individuals.
Sadly, the fact is that all warehouses store valuable inventory and that will always be a magnet for thieves. Your employees need to know that they’re protected should the bad guys ever strike.
A well-trained warehouse security guard team will be confident in using video surveillance, performing regular security checks, and know what to do in the event of an attempted incursion by criminals.
2. Deter Criminals
This might sound obvious, but warehouse guards are key to spotting suspicious behavior and early detection of low-level crime before it escalates.
When criminals observe a warehouse with a goal to rob it, they’ll note the surveillance in place. Having human patrols in addition to cameras can be a powerful deterrent.
3. Work with Police
Naturally, your ultimate protection against crime is the police. However, security guard testimony plays a powerful role in assisting the police to do their job effectively.
Your warehouse security guards are often the first people to alert the police and can provide key details of potentially nefarious activities they’ve observed.
4. Boost Employee Morale
Having the reassuring presence of a team of security guards can do a lot for employee morale.
Especially if you have employees working around the clock or when there aren’t many employees on the premises, employing a security guard can give them the confidence to go about the duties with peace of mind.
The bonus for you is that employees who feel safe and valued are also more productive and likely to stay.
5. Reduce Employee Theft
Sadly, in the warehouse and distribution center business, threats don’t just come from those on the outside.
It’s been widely reported that employee theft costs U.S. businesses around $50 billion each year. Stealing inventory from warehouses is a common problem in many industries.
How can warehouse guards reduce the risk?
Warehouse guards are able to monitor your employees. While it’s sad that this has to be done, they can nip problems in the bud by spotting and immediately dealing with employee theft before the inventory ever leaves the warehouse.
They can also perform security patdown checks on employees as they enter and leave, preventing them from taking inventory out of the premises.
Of course, if you choose to create an in-house security team, you also need to follow proper vetting procedures for your warehouse security guards. Otherwise, you’ll be letting the fox guard the henhouse.
6. Deal with Emergencies
Sometimes, emergencies will arise within the warehouse — and not just because of criminal activities.
Fire can break out or an employee can suddenly fall ill and require medical attention. Sometimes, there might be a confrontation between employees that needs to be de-escalated.
This is where warehouse guards come into their own. They’re dedicated to keeping everyone safe, no matter what arises. They’re trained to deal with emergency situations promptly, even giving first aid if they’re appropriately trained.
7. Help Visitors
When new suppliers or distributors come to the warehouse, it can be overwhelming. Security guards can be on hand to give them a helping hand.
Whether they’re just looking for the washroom or need to be escorted to meet with management, security guards can perform a valuable service in helping them feel well cared for while onsite.
8. Keep Bad Guys Out
Most businesses have clear protocols for exactly who can and cannot enter the premises.
The first person most people meet at the car park gate will be a warehouse security guard. They’re well trained to know exactly what credentials visitors need and have the confidence to turn away people with no right to be there.
9. They Know the Place Inside Out
It’s the job of a warehouse security guard to know your premises like the back of their hands.
They know all the vulnerabilities and any hidey-holes that people with ill-intent could try to exploit to gain access to your inventory.
Should they spot anyone during their surveillance, they’re best placed to locate them and deal with the threat. They know all the possible escape routes, nooks, and crannies.
Knowing that a security team is in place with that kind of knowledge can be enough to put off a lot of criminals and send them on their way to an easier target.
10. Lets Everyone Do Their Job
If you’re a business owner or an employee, the last thing you want to worry about is your security. You’ve got a job to do and you want to focus on doing that as well as you can.
Knowing that you’ve got a team of security guards in place gives you that peace of mind. You can get on with doing what you do best, knowing that they’ve got your back should any issues arise.
The Bottom Line: Why You Need a Warehouse Security Guard
If you’ve been thinking to yourself, “Do I need a security guard?” then this article should have left you in no doubt.
Employing a warehouse security guard — or a whole team of them — can give you so much more than a security system can on its own. They work together to create the safest possible environment for your employees and your inventory.
To meet your warehouse security needs, you need to work with a professional firm that you can trust with your most valuable assets.
Click here to learn more about how OPS Security Group can meet your warehouse security needs.