How Covid-19 Has Changed the Role of Security GuardsHow Covid-19 Has Changed the Role of Security Guards
The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the world of work in the UK.
Like in every other sector, the role of the security guard has been adapted to fit social distancing and heightened hygiene restrictions.
What are the main duties of security officers in a post-pandemic world?
Security guards are expected to carry out a range of responsibilities which have been influenced by Covid-19.
Administration
Many security officers are asked to man the front desk at a business in order to check credentials, direct customers and ensure that no unauthorised individuals are entering the site.
Alongside identification and directing visitors, security guards may now be asked to perform a range of other tasks including:
- Making sure visitors are registering for track and trace purposes.
- Tracking the number of people entering the site to ensure social distancing protocols are not breached.
- Checking vaccine certificates.
- Implementing social measures such as face coverings and sanitisation.
With all these additional tasks included in the job description of many security guards it is essential that they are well trained and professional so they do not let this extra responsibility distract them from their primary role of crime prevention.
Vacant premises management
With many businesses shutting down, or moving to remote working, for significant periods throughout the pandemic there has been an increase in demand for security guards looking after vacant premises.
Mobile patrols are an excellent way to have spot checks throughout a vacant site several times both during the day and at night when burglaries and property damage are more likely.
During their patrols, guards will walk the entire site, checking entry points and looking out for any suspicious activity or unauthorised visitors.
Business owners can work alongside security companies and their guards to design the most effective patrol route around the vacant premises and tailor their activities to suit their specific needs.
With many businesses opting for a hybrid work system with a combination of remote work and in-person, this flexibility is particularly important as security guards will be able to do more frequent patrols in periods where there are less people on site.
If your site is suited to it, and it would be beneficial to the specific premises, then human guards can be accompanied on mobile patrols by canine officers who are experts at identifying intruders.
Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry was hit harder by Covid-19 than perhaps any other sector.
Nightclubs, bars, theatres, and restaurants were all forced to close for months and security guards who often worked in these places struggled to find work.
As the industry has begun to open up again however, security guards have found themselves busier than ever and more important than ever.
With additional safety measures in place, including a rise in queuing outside venues and vaccine passports increasingly mandatory in many places, crowd management has become an essential skill for any security officer to have.
If the guard fails to implement covid restrictions appropriately then the venue may well be shut down or face a huge fine so the employer needs to be sure that the people they are employing are both knowledgeable about current rules and company policy and responsible to implement them.
Health Sector Protection
Not only do security guards have additional responsibilities as a result of Covid-19 but the sectors which have the most demand for their services have also changed.
Security officers have played a huge part in keeping health care workers and the public safe by overseeing the transfer of infected patients and cordoning off areas to protect staff.
This means that there has been a rise in the number of security guards employed in the healthcare sector, working in hospitals, testing centres, and vaccination centres.
As well as creating isolation zones and no access areas, officers have also been tasked with ensuring that hygiene procedures such as hand sanitation and mask wearing are being followed in these high risk areas.
Security guards have always played a huge part in keeping people safe from attack and criminal behaviour, but the Covid-19 pandemic has seen an additional focus placed on protecting people from a less visible, but equally dangerous, threat.
Prime Secure’s SIA accredited security guards undergo extensive training to ensure they are the best in the industry at delivering all these services and many more.
As a UK wide company, who has been providing professional security guards for over 25 years, we have a national reach backed by the local knowledge of our operatives who are always on hand to fulfil all your security needs.
Whichever type of security guard you are looking for, Prime Secure is ready for your call on 0345 88 88 333.