How to Create A Safer, More Secure Workplace

The world is a dangerous place. Violent crimes, natural disasters, and other hazards make living everyday life a risk. Disaster can strike at any time, whether you’re in the comfort of your own home or working on a project in the office. At work, most people are so preoccupied with their duties that safety is never on their minds. Unfortunately, this lack of care could prove fatal one fateful day.

It’s very important to make preparations for workplace emergencies, and having fire extinguishers on-site is a good start -but that’s not enough. Consider investing in the following safety products to increase your safety.

1. Fire/Smoke Alarms

The dangers of a fire breaking out in the workplace are very real. OSHA reports more than 200 fatalities and 5,000 injuries caused by fires and explosions each year, and there are numerous reasons why things can be suddenly set ablaze.

Since many workplaces rely heavily on computers and other electronics these days, there’s a lot of wiring present. Sometimes this wiring is hidden under carpeting or wire covers, but its there. All it takes is a frayed wire or some type of short-circuiting on an electric-powered machine to light things up.

Fire and smoke alarms warn employees of a fire in the building by picking up the presence of smoke in the air. Most smoke alarms will automatically sound off with a blaring noise as soon as the smoke is detected. Other fire alarms must be manually pulled to sound off. Since fires usually start out as very isolated occurrences, alarms can get people evacuated before they start spreading. A fire that has spread to major areas of a building can easily trap and kill any workers inside, so it’s crucial to notify everyone as soon as a fire breaks out.

2. Emergency Chairs

In many cases, the safest thing to do when disaster strikes is to exit the building as quickly as possible. While healthy adults won’t have much of a problem traversing stairs, elderly individuals, little kids, and physically or mentally handicapped individuals may have a tough time using them. When time is of the essence, emergency chairs can get these people to safety with the help of some Good Samaritans.

Most emergency chairs come equipped with wheels so that they can be easily pushed or pulled. They also fold up into various configurations so that they can be carried with little effort and glide effortlessly over steps when ascending or descending stairs. Users can be strapped in tightly so that the risk of falling out and getting injured is minimized. No matter what the situation, whether it’s a fire, flood, tornado, earthquake or something worse, emergency chairs can get people to safety in the nick of time.

3. Security Cameras

Every workplace should be equipped with security cameras. The best locations for cameras include the front entrance, back door, and off-street windows. They deter people from stealing and committing other crimes. If your workplace is a department store or supermarket, it would be quite easy for someone to slip something under a jacket and walk out unnoticed. However, with security cameras installed in visible locations, those crooks will think twice about snatching something that isn’t theirs.

Another benefit of security cameras is that they can document every occurrence when left to roll 24/7. Whatever may have happened earlier–an elderly man having a heart attack, a lady getting her purse stolen, a kid stealing a candy bar, a group of teens assaulting a cashier–gets visually recorded so that first responders can do their jobs to the best of their ability. Everything caught on tape is hard evidence that can be used to bring criminals to justice or solve some unknown. Most security cameras can be viewed live from a computer monitor in a remote location either on-site or off-site. Some can be conveniently viewed from a smartphone.

4. Locks

Sometimes the most important safety products are so obvious that we overlook them. Such is the case with locks. If you don’t want dangerous men and women wandering into your workplace, it’s best to keep all doors and windows locked at all times with high-quality, heavy-duty locks. There are tons of lock types available, but even the most basic styles will get the job done.

Crossbar locks and combination locks are examples of more traditional forms, while key card locks and biometric locks are a bit more advanced. High-security workplaces, such as federal buildings and research labs, may even implement retinal scans and other lock technologies usually seen in the movies.

5. Flashlights

As humans, we are totally helpless without light. Without sight, even the safest of places can become extremely hazardous. All too often, natural disasters will knock out the power to create a blackout in the workplace. Even though many have back-up generators, it’s always a good idea to store a few flashlights in an area that’s easy to access.

Flashlights can be used to locate exits and other emergency supplies that are stored in other areas of the building. They can also be used to signal for help. It’s easy to transmit an S.O.S. signal with a flashlight, and the signal may be seen from many miles away at night. In the case of an assault, a bright flashlight can temporarily blind an attacker long enough for you to make an escape. It could also be used as a club when you have no option but to defend yourself.