If you own an office building, you have a long list of responsibilities and considerations. Chief among them should be the safety of your employees or tenants. But when was the last time you reviewed the safety measures you’re taking to protect them?
Now would be a great time to revisit some of the current measures and strategies you have in place.
1. Upgrade Your Access Control
Ever heard of those cool key cards or biometric scanners? They’re not just in spy movies! They’re real and they’re great for keeping your office safe. By using these high-tech gadgets, you can control who gets into your building. This way, only the right people have access, keeping unwanted visitors out.
Access control technology is surprisingly not as expensive as you might think. There are lots of companies in the physical biometric security space, which has lowered the costs and made it more accessible for businesses to find good access control solutions.
2. Prepare for Emergencies
Fire drills aren’t just for elementary schools. Having a plan for emergencies like fires or other dangerous situations is super important. Make sure everyone in your office knows what to do if something bad happens. Here are some tips:
- Create a strategy and assign individual people specific roles for emergencies (such as checking bathrooms when a fire alarm goes off, grabbing important files, or directing people to an exit).
- Practice evacuation routes and where the emergency exits are. That way, if there’s ever a real emergency, everyone will know how to stay safe and get out quickly.
It sounds cliche, but you can never be too prepared for an emergency. The more you plan ahead today, the less likely it is that an emergency will be catastrophic for your business. You’ll also instill confidence in your employees and other key stakeholders when they see that you have a plan for anything.
3. Get High-Tech Alarms
We all know how important smoke alarms are at home. Well, in your office building, you need even more. Installing advanced fire and security alarm systems can save lives. They can detect fires or other dangers and alert everyone so they can get to safety fast.
Depending on your property insurance policy and the company you work with, you might even be able to get a discount on your monthly premiums by installing high-tech fire and security alarm systems. But even if you don’t, they’re worth installing sooner rather than later.
4. Check Everything Regularly
Just like your computer needs updates, your safety systems need regular checks to ensure everything is operating as it should.
We recommend setting up routine safety audits to ensure everything is working as it should. Test fire alarms, security systems, and emergency lights to ensure they’re ready if needed. If you want to be extra careful, hire an outside company to come in and conduct a building-wide safety and security audit.
5. Fix Problems ASAP
If you find any issues during your safety checks, don’t wait to fix them. Fixing problems as soon as you notice them is crucial. Whether it’s a flickering light, a malfunctioning alarm, or a door that’s not locking properly, get it fixed right away.
Addressing problems quickly can prevent bigger issues later on. It’s also a good idea to proactively put maintenance checks on your monthly or quarterly to-do list. This will remind you to look for common problems that you can address before they create even bigger issues down the road.
6. Employee Training and Education
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to safety. Provide regular training sessions and educational programs for all employees on safety procedures and protocols. Teach them:
- How to properly use fire extinguishers
- What to do in case of emergencies
- How to report potential safety hazards
- Etc.
Encouraging awareness and preparedness among your staff can contribute to a safer workplace for everyone. Remember, when everyone knows what to do, they can work together to keep each other safe.
Adding it All Up
Remember, these steps aren’t just good ideas – they’re important for keeping everyone safe in your office building. So, take some time to review your safety measures and see if there’s anything you can improve. Your efforts to increase safety will make a big difference for everyone who spends time in your office building.
Read more about 7 Factors To Consider When Renting An Office Space.
