Running a warehouse in any industry comes with a lot of moving parts. There’s stock management, permanent vs temporary staffing issues and a plethora of health and safety regulations. Along with all of these spinning plates, it’s important to take the time to establish proper warehouse security measures.
Security for warehouse spaces needs to be applied in a few different angles, ensuring comprehensive protection from robberies, dangerous drivers or otherwise uninvited visitors. This article offers insights on the essentials of warehouse security, so you can keep your workplace properly protected.
The Importance of Warehouse Access Control – Essentials of Warehouse Security
Your primary line of defence should always be through physically preventing unauthorised entry. This should be achieved through a combination of permanent installations and dedicated staff.
Perimeter Security Systems
Perimeter security systems can take several different forms, all of which need to be very sturdy, sufficiently sized and securely locking. Different businesses in different locations will require distinct installations.
- Tracked sliding gates and cantilever sliding gates are perfect for stock handling warehouses that see regular traffic from larger vehicles.
- Swing gates can come in manual and automated forms, which are great for various traffic levels.
- Certain rising and automatic security barriers are best for areas with particularly high traffic flow, as long as they can be securely locked and monitored.
- Various road blockers and bollards in both permanent and temporary forms can be ideal for alternative or temporary openings in your warehouse.
It’s worth noting that any of these physical systems can operate through technologies, such as keyfobs, remote controls, intercom systems, keypads, buttons or even card access control.
Technological & Human Control
A warehouse security system should ideally be built from a combination of technological and human elements. Your access control setup can be operated with the aforementioned technologies, but it’s also important to have staff on hand to monitor visitors without fobs, IDs or clearly expressed access.
Surveillance & Alarm Systems
Along with physical barriers to entry, it’s important to have a proper monitoring system in place. For example, security in warehouse spaces needs to be supported by comprehensive, legal CCTV coverage, ensuring to set cameras up in areas such as:
- Entrances/exits
- Loading docks
- High-value internal storage areas
- The Warehouse perimeter
- Other high-traffic zones on the property
This CCTV coverage can be monitored by both on and off-site security teams, ensuring that every base is covered at all hours of the day.
Warehouse Security Alarm Systems
Beyond simple visual monitoring, it’s also wise to implement technology such as motion sensors, glass break detectors and similar devices, all linked to sufficient alarms.
These should be set up to alert your security team or even the police when unauthorised access is either attempted or completed, ensuring a prompt response. Alarms can also act as an effective deterrent when they go off around would-be criminals.
Proper Warehouse Security Procedures
Beyond all the installations and purchases you can make, security in warehouse settings needs to be the result of proper procedures, protocols and processes. Some vital elements that you need to keep in mind in terms of procedure include:
- Strict inventory control and tracking at every step
- Driver verification in shipping processes
- Consistent seal checks
- Blind counting stock figures
- Meticulous lock-up and opening procedures
- Thoroughly background checking new staff
- Regularly reporting suspicious activity
- Training staff in all keys and access tools
- Ensuring good handling practices for sensitive inventory
Proper warehouse security comes from a carefully curated balance of technological installations, along with proper staffing and training for the human element. By taking enough time on each of these aspects, you should be able to establish a safe and secure working warehouse, whatever industry you operate in.
