My guest blog post written for Luke the Locksmith’s blog…

Do you remember the opening credits of Get Smart, where Maxwell Smart (Agent 83) goes through all the door and the telephone box to get to the office?

I once experienced a similar feeling going to see a Jeweller to have my wedding ring designed and made. At the time I thought it was rather strange that he was hidden away in the depths of a shopping arcade with no shop frontage. When I finally got the entrance, a large steel door, I was required to call through the video intercom system to enter.

When I entered, I was in an empty white consultation room with nothing but a black table and four chairs. But I could see behind a thick transparent wall a workshop full of tools and equipment. No doubt extremely expensive tools and equipment required for precision work he performed. The Jeweller entered the consultation room from the workshop through yet another heavy steel door.

I guess it is pretty obvious why a Jeweller would have such extreme security…diamonds, rubies and gold!

While this security seemed a little confronting, we must remember, is that not everyone in the world is a law-abiding citizen. Some will go to great lengths to break and enter your premises to steal valuable goods and equipment. And that some, are barbaric enough to enter a workplace, take people hostage and cause serious harm (physically and mentally) to workers in order to get something valuable.

Under our harmonised health and safety laws, employers have a duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace for employees. This doesn’t just apply in Jewellers with lots of diamonds. An office with computers, a service-station with cash and a Bottle shop with liquor are all prime targets for the unscrupulous.

The Managing the work environment and facilities Code of Practice (Qld) requires employers to ensure they provide and maintain a safe work environment this includes security measures such as:

• Amenity Facilities should provide privacy and security for men and women.
• The entry and exit to and from the workplace must be safe.
• Doors and gates should be fitted with safety devices if necessary.
• Accessible and secure storage provided at the workplace for personal items belonging to workers
• Managing the personal security risks associated with isolated work, for example:
  • a cleaner working by themselves at night in a city office building
  • all-night convenience store and service station attendants
  • sales representatives, including real estate agents
  • health and community workers working in isolation with members of the public.
• Accommodation facilities should also be lockable, with safe entry and exit.

These are all duties of the business owner (person conducting the business or undertaking). For many business owners who lease commercial properties, the duty still sits with you. You may need to negotiate the installation of security measures with your landlord, but it is your risk and therefore your responsibility.

When advising clients on workplace security solutions in my local Brisbane area, I refer them to my local trusted Locksmith, Luke Gillings – aka Luke the Locksmith.

When it comes to managing the safety and security of your workers and workplaces, we never want to hear you say… “I missed it by that much”.

For a quick nostalgic trip or for those who may be too young, here is a YouTube link to the Get Smart Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv3kcnI72Ec