Security Cameras for Warehouse Protection
How to Use Security Cameras for Warehouse Safety & Security
Warehouses can be difficult to secure. There are many reasons why. First of all, these are typically very large facilities that contain not only many people but also many assets.
This leads to two major potential issues. One is that large facilities tend to be very hard for security guards and staff to keep an eye on. The other issue is that, since there are often many people and many valuable assets in the warehouse, it’s easy to lose track. Security cameras for warehouse use solve these problems.
However, there is a significant difference between monitored security cameras for warehouse security and unmonitored cameras.
Comparing Monitored Surveillance to Unmonitored Cameras
Unmonitored cameras simply capture evidence. This can be helpful in criminal investigations as well as insurance claims, but it is only useful after a crime has already happened. When cameras are not monitored, criminals can wear masks or hoods and make it nearly impossible to identify them. Once they leave the scene and the footage is viewed, it’s very unlikely that they’ll be recognized and caught.
Live remote monitoring cameras, on the other hand, are watched 24/7 by trained security agents. These agents can spot suspicious situations as they develop and react before a crime is committed. For instance, a live monitoring system can also include two-way speakers and lighting. If monitoring agents notice someone lurking around a warehouse loading dock, they can use these tools to let the criminal know that they’re being watched and deter them from striking at all.
If a crime does occur, agents can immediately contact the authorities to respond while the situation is still in progress, not needing to wait until long after the criminals have left. This drastically increases the chances of criminals being caught.
Monitoring agents can also be responsible for access control. Cameras can be used to monitor all entrances, including gates and loading docks, to ensure that only authorized personnel are permitted into the building. Security agents can check identification and verify identities at the gate, communicating with the site as necessary to ensure only those who are allowed on the property can access the site.
Comparing Live Monitoring to Security Guards
Onsite security guards can also react to situations before they develop into crimes. However, in a large warehouse, it becomes logistically impossible to have enough guards to watch over every inch of a property at once. When you use security cameras for warehouse protection, cameras can be installed so that agents can see the entire warehouse from nearly every angle.
Not only will a live monitoring system protect an entire warehouse 24/7, but it will also likely do so at a lower cost than hiring security guards. That’s because guards can quickly get expensive, especially if you need to hire many of them to protect a large property.
Plus, remote monitoring teams cannot be distracted or intimidated by criminals. Unfortunately, security guards may be overwhelmed by large groups striking at once or by those carrying weapons. Monitoring agents cannot be intimidated. They will react to situations and act to prevent crimes no matter what the circumstances may be.
Security Cameras for Warehouse Safety & More
Live monitoring doesn’t just prevent theft. It also helps keep warehouses safe. That’s because agents can watch for emerging incidents and potentially dangerous situations and intervene. For instance, agents can make sure that all staff are wearing appropriate safety equipment and following company procedures.
If someone is climbing to a high shelf without using a safe ladder, for instance, or storing materials in an unsafe manner, for example, agents will notice these situations. They can then communicate directly with the employee, inform them of the issue, and ensure that the problem is solved before it results in an injury.
This ensures that “near misses” are caught and that they don’t become accidents or injuries. All information about these instances is reported to management regularly. This can help with training, policy development, and much more. This makes your property safer and reduces injury and liability.
For more information on how security cameras for warehouse protection work, please do not hesitate to contact Birdseye Security Solutions. We are a North American leader in remote security and facility supervision.