How to Minimize Human and Material Losses in Case of Fire, Earthquake, Flood, or Act of Terrorism - Research Proposal Example

SECURITY SURVEY Human and property safety is the most important thing to maintain in any business around the globe. Crime rate and other disasters are on the rise and therefore, it is important to conduct a thorough security survey when one is given any security role (Broder, 2006). This survey should not only be done once, but regularly to help you understand the level of security in your organization and give you a better indication of the areas you should be addressing. Almost all departmental heads in the organization should do the survey because not only the security officer is responsible for the safety; it is a teamwork headed by the senior security officer. This survey also involves interviewing all employees working in the firm, day and night shifts, meeting with security officers and other law enforcing bodies in the urban area where the firm is situated (Davis, 2008). This survey, if done properly, will help the firm identify the risks, threats and plan well to reduce the security-related expenses. It will also help the firm to know areas of weakness in security issues. Since this manufacturing plant is located in the urban environment, it is important to recognize the number of risks that it might experience. These risks include theft, air and noise pollution, traffic congestion near the plant and terrorism, which is a global threat to almost all organizations. In order to reduce these risks, the firm needs to erect a tall stone fence that does not allow passer bys to see the activities carried inside the compound of the firm. In this kind of location (urban), one gate to the firm is more effective to allow easier access control. The gate should be made of a tough steel metal that cannot be destroyed easily by thieves and other employees who might intend to sneak with the company’s property. This should be done in all entrances and exits of the compound. To save time while at the access points, two entrances are more suitable to enable security officers conduct friendly security checks to the employees. This will also help the security officers identify outsiders who pretend to be staff members of the firm. The security check helps to prevent the entrance of illegal weapons such as grenades, firearms and other crude weapons that may create a massive loss to the firm. These entrances should have two security officers, both male and female. Disasters like fire and earthquakes are experienced in many parts of the world; therefore, emergency exits should be available in all the small and large firms to allow easier movement out of the building if such a disaster occurs. These exits should have smaller doors or gates compared to other gates; this will prevent employees from escaping with company’s property during emergency incidents. They should also have locks and keys kept in break- glass containers attached to the walls near the doors (emergency exit doors). This break- glass container allows easier access to the keys when emergencies arise in any time of the working hours. They should also be manned with security officers at all times to prevent employees who may want to sneak with company’s item. To avoid confusion, these exits should be marked clearly with a visible color, for example ‘EMERGENCY EXIT’. This helps a lot in preventing injuries and deaths because no one will move to a wrong direction. Shipping and receiving areas are sensitive due to the nature of activities done there. It is in these places that the firm receives the raw materials and takes out the output (manufactured goods) to the consumers or to the market. Therefore, it should be manned carefully to avoid any loss. These places require CCTV cameras and well equipped security officers. In the receiving areas, two cameras should be installed; one facing the direction where the trailer or truck delivering the items is packed and another camera facing the way to the store or where the items are taken to. This prevents theft, as the cameras are able to monitor and record the movements of each individual (Hughes & Bowler, 2008). In the shipping points, two cameras are also needed; one at the exit of the store and another one facing where the goods are being loaded. Security officers at these locations should be provided with record books to record goods delivered and goods taken or shipped out of the company. These record books will help in future reference should there be any problem. Most firms have secret details that need to be kept in a secret place within the firm; this area should be well manned by a mature and trustworthy officer who cannot let out information of the firm. It should be equipped with CCTV cameras at the entrance to monitor those that enters inside that place. Electric doors with passwords should be installed at the doors to allow only authorized staffs inside. Windows and doors should be made of black tinted glasses to prevent those that are outside to see what is going on inside. The door should be marked clearly for other employees to be aware that only authorized staffs are allowed inside, example ‘AUTHORIZED STAFF ONLY’. IT plays an important role in the modern technology and it is important for a firm to set IT department within the organization. This department plans, operates and supports organization’s communication network. One security officer who must be provided with register book should also operate this room at all times. This book helps the firm to know the staffs in charge of the IT department and should there be any problem; it gives easy identification of the employee who entered the IT room. This place is sensitive because of the data it handles. It should also have an electric door with a password to allow only authorized staffs. It should be equipped with enough staffs to provide efficient service to the firm. This building should have a smoke detector to enable the staffs to know the presence of fire and stop it before spreading in the room (Schröder, Menkes & International Committee on Museum Security, 2001). It is important to note that smoke detector should be installed in all offices of the organization. In the organization, there is need to have a physical security at all entrances and exits, in and out the compound (Missouri, 2001). These security officers conduct regular patrols both in out of the compound. They also maintain alarm systems, conduct screening, manage and control visitors, manage barrier and barriers, record daily occurrences and keep records at the receiving and shipping areas. For the company to achieve its objectives in security, it should hire qualified individuals who are well informed about security issues. This will help in minimizing the loss associated with security and reduce the cost of production. Seven days work schedule chart All locations, day shift security officers Number of security officers: 2 day shift officers Reporting time : 0600hrs Breakfast time : 1000hrs to 1030hrs Lunch time : 1230hrs to 1400hrs Departure time : 1800hrs Night shift security officers Number of security officers: 2 Night shift officers Reporting time : 1800hrs Supper break : 2100hrs to 2145 hrs Tea break : 0015hrs to 0045hrs Departure time : 0600hrs Rest days are Saturday and Sunday for all security officers in all locations. Schedule is the same to all security officers in all locations. Total number of security officers Full time – 106 officers Part time- 106 officers (Saturday and Sunday) Annual budget Day and Night shift security officers; Daily wage is 6.3 dollars Number of days worked in a week is 6 6.3 X 6 = 37.8 dollars a week Monthly wage is 37.8 X 4 Weeks = 151.2 dollars Total monthly wage is (151.2 X 106 = 16027.2 dollars) for full time security officers. Part time security officers Working days is 2 Sunday and Saturday Working days per month is 2 days X 4 Weeks = 8 days Wage per week is (2 X 6.3 dollars = 12.6 dollars) Wage per month (12.6 X 4 weeks = 50.4 dollars) Total amount is 50.4 X 106 = 5342.4 dollars Total amount paid to both full and part times security officers is (16027.2 + 5342.4 =21369.6) dollars per month Annual payment is 21369.6 X 12 = 256435.2 dollars. References Broder, J. F. (2006). Risk analysis and the security survey. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann. Davis, L. M. (2008). National computer security survey: Final methodology. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corp. Hughes, D., & Bowler, P. (2008). The security survey. Aldershot, Hants., England: Gower. Schröder, G. H. H., Menkes, D., & International Committee on Museum Security. (2001). Museum security survey. Paris: International Council of Museums. Missouri., & Missouri. (2004). Survey of manufacturing plants in the state of Missouri capable of participating in the defense program. Jefferson City. Read More