Know Your Risk: How A Risk, Threat and Vulnerability Assessment Can Improve Warehouse Security

A warehouse is a place that stores goods for distribution. It is also a place where cargo is handled. One of the main reasons why warehouses are vulnerable to threats and security risks is because they are not often required to have a high level of warehouse security. This leaves them open to theft, vandalism, and other damages.

The warehouse floor has the most risk because it is where goods are stored. The perimeter walls are also at risk of being broken into by intruders due to the lack of locks or bolts on them. The storage racks themselves can be susceptible to being vandalized or even felled if enough force is applied against them. The doors into the warehouse are also susceptible because they are not always monitored by surveillance cameras or guards and they allow for easy access into secure areas without scanning badges or IDs first.

Good warehousing management with a strong security manager will allow you to find and improve your defense against security vulnerabilities. Outsourced security with a good security partner who understands your needs, like OPS Security, can help.

Theft

Poor warehousing management and business security can create a surge in thefts. Break-ins often come with their own brand of collateral damage, costing companies time and money as they try to get back on track after being robbed.

Warehouses are an inviting target for criminals because they house valuables that are usually kept out of public view and owners don’t keep guards or security services and systems around them. The size of warehouses also means there is more ground for thieves to cover without being spotted by any patrols or security guards.

The warehousing industry is a large and lucrative one with a lot at stake. This makes it a prime target for theft. Warehouses have been broken into and robbed for their high-value goods such as jewelry, precious metals, designer clothing, and other high-ticket items. In addition to the risk of being burgled, warehouses are also susceptible to employee theft, an increasing problem in this industry.

In order to prevent these risks from happening, owners must take necessary warehousing security precautions like: 

• Making sure your building is well lit
• Having indoor and outdoor security guards patrol on a regular basis
• Installing alarms that automatically sound if someone breaks into the building 
• Installing video surveillance systems

Some of the benefits of installing surveillance systems for your warehouse security are:

• Reduce shrinkage
• Help with accident investigations
• Reduce vandalism
• Protect inventory
• Minimize insurance claims

Unauthorized Access

An access control system is a security system for controlling and managing activities within a secure space. Access control systems can also be made up of hardware, software, and people. Access control systems are used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities to secure and monitor these facilities. They can be physical (e.g., turnstiles) or virtual (e.g., security cameras). These systems help track who comes in and out of a facility, when they enter, and what they take with them when exiting the facility.

Warehouses usually use access control systems for two main purposes: inventory management and business security.

Inventory and security managers use these systems to know when inventory is coming or going from their warehouses, make sure it’s done on time, and track inventory levels. Security officers monitor these systems to make sure there is no theft or unauthorized entry into the warehouse.

Access control systems are used in buildings such as schools, hospitals, and airports to restrict access to unauthorized personnel. It can also be used on private properties such as residential homes or commercial buildings. 

This can be:

• Keycard access
• Biometric lock systems
• Virtual camera monitoring
• Physical guards at access points

Asset, Inventory and Property Damage

Warehouse inventory is typically stored for extended periods of time in warehouses. Damage can happen to these items throughout their time in the warehouse, but there are precautions that can be taken to minimize damages during this time. Equipment, assets and inventory are at risk of damage if stored and handled incorrectly.

• Make sure the warehouse uses the right storage techniques for each type of good. Temperature and weight are particularly important for some items.
• All items should be handled as carefully as possible, and not moved unnecessarily. Markings on packaging such as “fragile” indicate higher sensitivity to handling.
• If you store heavier items on the lower shelves of racks, then they are less likely to cause the rack to topple over. Put light items at the top instead.
• Employees need to know how to handle all types of materials.
• Regularly review the product damage claims to spot potential trends and implement corrective actions.
• Enforce proper storage for hazardous materials
• Always keep emergency plans in place should inventory be damaged.
• Provide adequate training for employee use of machinery and equipment.

Fires

The primary reason for warehouses to take precautions against fires is, of course, to protect people’s lives and property. Emergency preparedness is a large part of warehouse management.

In the past few years, there have been several well-documented warehouse fires in various regions of the world. The primary reason for these fires is arson, but there are also other causes such as structural faults, electrical faults and even machinery faults.

This is because almost all businesses have insurance policies that cover fire losses. This coverage will be lost if the warehouse owner was negligent in taking the necessary precautions against fires.

There are several effective methods to help mitigate warehouse fires, fire alarms, and fire suppression systems. These include:

• Combustion control devices: devices that either eliminate or control the combustion of a material by chemical reaction or physical means.
• Smoke and heat detectors: devices that detect the presence of smoke and heat from a fire.
• Automatic sprinkler systems: automatic sprinklers are activated by the detection of smoke and/or heat from a fire.
• Carbon monoxide alarms: detect carbon monoxide gas emitted by an uncontrolled fire.
• Fire doors: doors that provide protection for an opening in a building’s wall against exposure to fires on its other side.
• Employee action plans: training procedures on best practices for avoiding fires and stopping them.

Flooding

Floods are not just a danger to inventory. Floods can cause damage to a warehouse facility, employees, inventory, equipment and other assets. With the right security partner, you can put measures in place to mitigate the risks.

• Stay on alert for flood warnings
• Regularly conduct flood risk assessments and inspections 
• Store inventory, machinery and equipment off the ground or on elevated ground. 
• Store paper goods and delicate records in high shelving containers. 
• Routinely clean external and internal drains of debris such as leaves, waste, and other vegetation.
• Implement preventative measures like barriers that seal entry points, water pumps and regularly clean drainage areas.
• Ensure electrical outlets and wiring are raised and above the ground.
• Prevent water from entering the building by installing permanent or removable barriers to seal floors, doors, windows, and other openings.

Employee Safety 

When it comes to warehouse employee training for your business security, there are a lot of aspects to consider. Warehouse security and safety training is mandatory for every employee who deals with the handling and storage of goods. Warehouse security training is also necessary because there is a high chance that there will be thieves trying to steal from the warehouse. There is also training on how to use the equipment, as well as general warehouse safety awareness.

The goal of warehouse employee training is for them to understand not only what they’re required to do, but also the dangers that they may face on a daily basis and how they can prevent them from happening in order to keep themselves and those around them safe.

If you’d like to learn more about risk management and assessment, visit us at https://opssecuritygroup.com/ops-services/risk-management-services/surveys-and-assessment/

OPS Security Group has over 80 years of combined experience protecting executives, businesses, residents, guests and government officials throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C. and New Jersey. As a regional security alternative with a service-first approach, we offer a level of customer service that international providers are too big to deliver. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact us at https://opssecuritygroup.com/contact/