How Commercial Surveillance Systems Can Improve Workplace Safety

The main goal of every business is to make money. But a low productivity level or faulty operational measures can ruin this goal.

Commercial surveillance systems can monitor productivity to boost business operations without needing extra personnel. They can also help prevent theft and improve workplace safety.

Prevent Injuries and Deaths

Businesses need to succeed so that employees can work safely. Whether they’re building urban infrastructure, working on construction projects, providing customer service at retail stores or providing medical services at hospitals, a workplace accident could derail operations and put employees in harm’s way.

While workplace fatalities receive the most attention, even a minor injury can be disruptive and expensive. Workplace injuries can halt commercial real estate developments, pause construction on major public utility projects or delay the delivery of goods to customers at retailers. They can also impact productivity in manufacturing and healthcare networks, lead to costly lawsuits for employers and impede the continuity of vital services for clients.

These commercial surveillance systems can prevent workplace accidents by spotting hazards and dangerous conditions before they cause damage or injuries. Some surveillance systems have motion-detecting sensors that alert users when someone or something enters a designated area. Other cameras have facial recognition and can zoom in on people and vehicles to detect suspicious activity.

In addition to preventing accidents and reducing theft, business security cameras help companies monitor employee behavior. This allows managers and supervisors to evaluate whether employees follow company-specific or OSHA-recommended safety protocols. Footage from these cameras can be used to train new employees or provide feedback to existing ones.

Monitor Workplace Activity

Many small businesses suffer from workplace security problems, including break-ins, burglaries, and vandalism. In fact, according to a study by the National Retail Federation, more than one in five small-business owners face theft each year. Installing a surveillance system in staff rooms, lockers, and behind-the-scenes regions helps deter criminal activity. It also allows for the quick identification of thieves should a loss occur, making it easier to file police reports and identify who was responsible for the incident.

Surveillance cameras can also keep a watchful eye on internal safety policies, helping employers spot lapses in compliance and address them as quickly as possible. For instance, video analytics can detect dangerous people or conditions, such as chemical spills or unsecured machinery, before they cause injuries. They can also detect when a helmet or other safety equipment is not worn or a person is in a dangerous position, triggering lone worker alarms and improving employee safety.

The FTC has announced this advance notice of proposed rulemaking and virtual public forum to look more closely at how commercial surveillance practices and lax data security harm consumers. The agency wants to hear your views on whether new trade regulation rules should require companies to provide a clear opt-out choice for consumer choice and to evaluate the accuracy, validity, and reliability of algorithmic decision-making.

Prevent Theft

While most people want to trust that their employees won’t steal, the reality is that theft happens more often than anyone might expect. Thankfully, commercial surveillance systems help prevent this crime. The cameras’ visual deterrent makes criminals think twice before attempting to shoplift or break into your business. Moreover, the system’s footage provides reliable evidence for law enforcement to prosecute a perpetrator.

Moreover, video surveillance systems can also prevent vandalism and other property damage. Whether someone throws a rock at your office door or spray paints your company name on the wall, these systems can record the incident to show who was responsible and help your insurance provider expedite the payment of your claim.

Another important way that these systems can improve your organization’s security is by protecting remote workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations chose to allow employees to work remotely, and some thought this might mean they no longer needed security in their buildings. However, the truth is that this may lead to more workplace incidents as thieves and vandals take advantage of fewer people in your building.

With a cloud video surveillance solution you can keep tabs on remote workers and protect your business regardless of location. Plus, the system offers features like heat mapping reports and occupancy tracking to enhance workflow monitoring and business security.

Document Office Events

Whether you’re looking to ensure compliance with new policies or determine what can be improved in your workplace, reviewing surveillance footage can be a valuable tool for business managers. By observing what is happening in a workplace, businesses can identify potential danger areas and take action accordingly.

While some employees may appreciate the peace of mind of knowing their employers have cameras in their space, others might be upset and feel like their privacy is being invaded. Cameras hidden or placed in arguably private locations might spark lawsuits from disgruntled employees, so it’s important to remember this when planning your surveillance system.

CCTV systems can also act as a deterrent against crime, so criminals or employees who know cameras are in place will likely think twice about engaging in risky activities. The same can be said for businesses open to the public, as surveillance can help prevent unauthorized visitors from entering the premises and stealing company assets or data.

Keeping your video surveillance and access control systems integrated eliminates the need to audit and collect information from two platforms manually. By implementing an integrated solution, teams can receive custom alerts for access events on their mobile devices, with the accompanying video thumbnail for quicker verification. This integration is simple and can be done in no time using modern systems with open APIs.