More than six million people in the UK work either in isolation or without direct supervision, often in places or circumstances that place them at potential (and sometimes considerable) risk.
Given the wide range of solutions currently available to protect such lone workers, the process involved with selecting a supplier can often be difficult for those buyers unaware of the implications of industry standards.
As such, the BSIA’s Lone Worker Steering Group recommends that companies choose lone worker systems compliant to British Standard 8484 (the Code of Practice for the Provision of Lone Worker Device Services).
BS 8484 is the basis on which police respond to lone worker systems so it’s important for employers to choose suppliers who work to these standards.
Best levels of protection assured
Selecting a solution that’s compliant to BS 8484 through audit ensures that ‘at risk’ employees are provided with the best and most cost-effective level of protection if they should encounter a troublesome situation.
It also affords organisations the best level of protection against litigation and legislation.
There are three main parts to BS 8484, as follows:
– Part 4: The company providing the service must be stable, properly financed, insured, have effective information security and be competent to provide such services
– Part 5: All devices used as personal safety alarms must meet the functional requirements of the standard. This enables an operator to verify the alarm as genuine and also establish the situation and the location before passing the relevant information to the appropriate response service in a timely manner.
– Part 6: This refers to the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) which is where the alarm is received, verified and a response request sent to the appropriate service (usually the Emergency Services). ARCs must meet the BS 5979 Category 2 standard for ARCs as well as BS 8484 Part 6.
Implementation has ensured that requests for police response are properly verified, originate with approved ARCs and contain the right information. The result is a minimum number of false alarms which justifies the commitment by the police service to provide an ‘immediate’ response where possible.
Security Systems Policy and URNs
The police service manages alarms and approval for the ‘immediate’ level of response through its Security Systems Policy by the issue of a URN (Unique Reference Number).
For lone worker alarms, the policy demands that all links in the chain are complete before a URN is issued to an ARC (ie the provider, the device and the ARC are all accredited to the appropriate part of the standard). This is partly in force now, but will be fully in force by the end of July this year.
Implementation of the standard of course benefits the police service. More importantly, perhaps, it also provides tangible benefits for vulnerable employees and their employers in terms staff attitudes to their employer.
It has been shown that employers who exhibit proper concern for their ‘at risk’ staff can reduce staff absence through sickness and stress and improve staff retention. Due to the fact they feel safer with adequate precautions and training in place, members of staff are more effective in implementing company policy in difficult situations.
In addition, such services have been shown to allow staff to work alone whereas in the past ‘double manning’ has been required.
Key element of the security sector’s work
The development of British Standard BS 8484 has been a key element of the security sector’s work to create such solutions. BS 8484 is employed by all BSIA members in the field and forms the basis for police response to lone worker systems.
Patrick Dealtry – the well-known managing director of the Lone Working Group and chairman of the BSIA’s Lone Worker Steering Group – explained: “A wide variety of organisations in a range of sectors employ people whose jobs require them to work or operate alone, either regularly or occasionally. Almost by definition, lone working can be both intimidating and, at times, dangerous. That being the case, the protection of lone workers involves a two-fold approach – not only to provide safeguards but also to offer reassurance to the people involved.”
- Educating the wider marketplace on the importance of BS 8484 is the focus of two presentations to be delivered by the BSIA’s technical director, Alex Carmichael, at IFSEC International 2012 (which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC between 14-17 May).
- Carmichael’s presentations, entitled ‘BS 8484 and the BSIA’s Lone Worker Group’ and aimed at introductory level, are scheduled for Monday 14 May at 10.45 am-11.30 am and Thursday 17 May between 12.30 pm-1.30 pm. They take place in the Lone Worker Education Theatre (Hall 3a).
Unoccupied homes face security risk from bold squatters
Physical security has long been the backbone of domestic security. Now, as squatters become increasingly bold in wealthy residential areas, members of the BSIA’s Physical Security Equipment Section are highlighting physical security’s inherent value when it comes to protecting vacant properties.
Squatting – the occupation of an empty or abandoned property by people who don’t own or rent it, and without the owner’s permission – is a growing problem, with recent BBC reports indicating that there are 20,000 squatters currently residing in the UK.
In recent years, many squatters have become far more bold in their actions, occupying empty houses in upmarket areas.
Back in 2010, for example, squatters became neighbours to superstar Madonna by setting up home in two seven-storey mansions – worth a total of no less than GB pound 30 million and owned by the Duke of Westminster – on London’s Park Lane.
While there are plans afoot to seek the criminalisation of squatting in residential buildings, it’s presently the case that squatting is not technically a crime in itself. Once buildings become occupied, it can be very difficult for owners to reclaim them. They’re often forced to follow lengthy legal proceedings to get rid of any unwanted tenants.
Previous research into home security has shown that households with no security measures are almost ten times more likely to fall victim to crimes such as burglary than homes where simple security measures have been adopted.
For unoccupied premises, there should be an added emphasis on the integration of physical and electronic security, with this holistic approach enabling owners to cover every angle in protecting against unauthorised access.
Case Study: how to deal effectively with squatters
One BSIA member, Clearway, recently helped a customer to react when a residential site primed for property development was suddenly occupied by a large, well-organised group of squatters. The uninvited guests had even adopted security measures of their own, having restricted access by attaching a new padlock to the gate and letting loose several large dogs.
The ongoing delays and legal fees that resulted incurred a significant overhead to the development project.
Clearway immediately put in place an action plan to ensure the smooth repossession of the site. That plan involved covert surveillance prior to the agreement of the security methods required to achieve a successful eviction.
Physical security measures were, of course, at the heart of the plans. Barriers were implemented to prevent further vehicular access, while steel security screens and doors restricted access to the property. Regular inspections were performed to ensure that the site remained unoccupied.
Ultimately, the eviction was a success with the site remaining vacant for several months afterwards. Those security measures implemented did prevent any further incursions.
Clive Baker, chairman of the BSIA’s Physical Security Equipment Section, advised: “Once you’ve put in place measures such as steel security screens, doors and fencing to keep intruders out, it’s important to make sure that the site is regularly patrolled or monitored using either security officers or CCTV. Alarms are also an effective measure to detect and deter intruders, and keeping a site well-lit where possible may also help to put off potential squatters.”
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The Big Issue: Top tips for selecting a security training provider
The development of the security sector continues to create a wealth of new and exciting career opportunities. Job seekers are having to prove that they possess the skill sets and underpinning knowledge required to operate successfully in this fast-moving arena.
Security training, however, is not something that affects the security sector alone. Organisations operating in other industries also need to make sure their personnel are adequately equipped with the right security education.
The launch of the BSIA’s Training Providers Section means that there is now a one-stop shop for anyone interested in identifying professional security training providers who can offer the necessary standard and level of tuition required to carry out these roles effectively and efficiently.
Providing some practical advice for job seekers and employers considering which training company to select, Paul Tennent – chairman of the BSIA’s Training Providers Section – explained that, regardless of the kind of security training you are after, a reliable training provider will generally offer the following:
- free consultation to discuss your training needs
- courses specifically designed for different disciplines
- courses at a range of levels
- nationally and internationally recognised certifications, such as BTEC and City and Guilds
- clear Continuing Professional Development paths to enhance your career opportunities
- a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art equipment on which to learn
- a professional learning environment with modern teaching aids
- professionally qualified tutors with ‘real world’ experience of the industry
- evidence of endorsement from – or an association with – leading industry bodies such as the BSIA
- a track record!
Tennent said: “In the first instance, however, check the training providers’ websites. If in doubt, ask to visit their premises as the best companies are proud to show them off.”
For more information on the BSIA’s Training Providers Section, or to locate a BSIA Training Provider near you, access the Training Providers Section of the official BSIA website
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the British Security Industry Association