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Security and safety are essential for any business, whether it is a small retail store, supermarket, large corporation, or government agency. Under premises liability laws, business owners and managers have a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe and secure environment for their employees and customers. However, many organizations fail to make security and safety a priority.
Furthermore, many security incidents often occur due to a lack of surveillance systems, insufficient lighting in parking lots and walkways, faulty locks, and inadequate security personnel. Unfortunately, this may leave customers and employees vulnerable to threats, attacks, injuries, and other security incidents. In this article, we will explore some common ways businesses fail to implement adequate security and safety measures.
Not Conducting Regular Risk Assessments
One of the first steps to ensure security and safety on a business’s premises is to conduct regular risk assessments. Performing a comprehensive risk assessment helps businesses to identify, analyze, and evaluate the potential threats and vulnerabilities that they face. Security experts can also help identify vulnerabilities in access controls, surveillance systems, alarm systems, and security procedures. With this, the business will be able to prioritize its security and safety needs, allocate resources, and implement appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks and hazards to customers and employees.
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Failure to Secure the Business Premises or Facility
Additionally, it is the responsibility of the business owner or manager to secure the facility by controlling access to the premises by unauthorized individuals. This requires providing adequate controls and locks at access points to prevent crime and accidents. Also, access points should have functional alarms, security cameras, and guards as needed. Only authorized personnel should have keys and electronic access credentials to sensitive areas like cash handling rooms and server rooms. By securing the facility, you can prevent opportunities for criminals, trespassers, and intruders.
Not Investing in Security and Safety Equipment and Technology
Furthermore, investing in security and safety equipment and technology is essential for a business to protect its customers, employees, data, and assets. Such equipment and technology can include surveillance cameras, locks, fire extinguishers, alarms, sensors, antivirus software, smoke detectors, encryption, firewalls, and more.
According to a recent study, installing surveillance cameras around a store or city can cause up to 50% drop in all types of crime. Also, business managers must ensure that these safety equipment and technology are installed, maintained, and operated properly.
Not Hiring or Training Security and Safety Personnel
Security personnel are usually responsible for implementing and enforcing security and safety measures in a business facility. To ensure adequate security, businesses must hire or train adequate and competent security guards and safety personnel based on their risk assessment needs. Also, the security personnel must understand their roles and responsibilities and dedicate every resource to ensure the safety of the business, customers, and employees.
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Inadequate Screening of Employees and Vendors
Inadequate screening of employees and vendors is another way that businesses fall short on security and safety. Many businesses do not screen their employees and vendors or do it poorly. However, before hiring an employee or vendor, the business must conduct thorough background checks, drug tests, reference checks, and license/credential verification. Through proper screening, businesses can minimize risks from dangerous, untrustworthy, or incompetent personnel. The screening may be done upon hiring and at regular intervals.
Not Complying with Applicable Safety Laws and Regulations
Furthermore, there are usually local, state, and federal safety and security laws that businesses are required to adhere to. Unfortunately, many businesses do not comply with the applicable laws and regulations. To avoid this mistake, businesses should understand, follow, and adhere to all the laws and regulations that apply to them. Also, the business should properly document and report their compliance.
Failure to Maintain Facilities and Equipment
Additionally, business managers must maintain their equipment and facilities to ensure adequate security. Routine maintenance should be performed on buildings, vehicles, machinery, utilities, and fire or safety systems. This will help prevent system failures that can disrupt operations or harm employees and customers.
Also, the business should hire licensed experts to inspect elevators, electrical systems, HVAC equipment, plumbing systems, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, alarms, and other infrastructure on the premises. Failing to replace worn parts, clogged air filters, old pipes, and deficient safety equipment may lead to accidents, harm, or regulatory infractions.
Improper Handling of Hazardous Materials
What’s more, improper handling of hazardous chemicals and materials may result in a security incident, injuries, contamination, explosion, or property damage. For this reason, businesses must follow the proper procedure to store, transport, or dispose of hazardous chemicals. Also, PPE and safety devices must be provided to anyone accessing the area. Likewise, businesses must respond to spills, leaks, or accidents involving hazardous materials promptly and report the incident to the right authorities.
Insufficient Safety Training for Employees
In addition, many businesses fail to educate and instruct their employees on how to perform their tasks safely and avoid hazards and risks. To ensure adequate safety, businesses must provide their employees with initial and ongoing safety training to protect themselves and customers. The training should cover proper equipment use, hazard identification, injury prevention, chemical handling, emergency response, first aid, sanitation, and safety incident reporting. This will empower employees on how to work safely and what to do during emergency situations or security breaches.
Failure to Manage Security Incidents
Lastly, how a business responds to a safety or security incident is a crucial factor that determines the extent and impact of the incident. Common security and safety incidents can include accidents, injuries, fires, illnesses, explosions, spills, breaches, leaks, attacks, or disasters. A timely and effective response can help a business to contain the damage, protect victims, restore normal operations, and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Final Thoughts
In summary, many businesses frequently undermine safety and security by not prioritizing them. Unfortunately, a security incident may cause a customer to suffer an injury, bodily harm, accident, property damage, or loss of life, and the business owner may be held liable. However, by following the guidelines above, businesses can provide a safer, more secure environment for their employees and customers.
Contact Us for Non-Recourse Lawsuit Loans
If you have suffered an injury on a business premises due to inadequate or lack of security, you may be entitled to recover damages by filing a claim or lawsuit. Also, you can apply for non-recourse lawsuit funding to get the cash advance you need to pay bills before your case concludes. Contact us today at High Rise Financial to schedule a simple consultation. Our financial specialists can educate you about your possible settlement funding options and assist with your lawsuit loan application.
Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.