Common Forum for working Security & Safety Professionals
Lets professionalize the professionals ....
International Council for Industrial Security, Safety & Management
Dear Security & Safety Professionals,
India will remain under lockdown till May 18, the government announced today, tacking on a second extension to the full lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi originally on March 25. MHA also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period, based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country in Red (hotspot), Green and Orange Zones. The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones. The total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 35,365 on Friday as the death toll touched 1,152 in the country, according to the Health Ministry.
The economic toll of the crippling nationwide lockdown has become too glaring to ignore, with auto maker Maruti selling zero units in all of April! All growth indicators are heading south, revenue collection has fallen off a cliff, and businesses are desperately seeking to wait out this disaster.
The unlocking will need to be done in a phased manner by organizations. Since the offices have been closed for close to a month now starting work back will require a lot of planning.
The Private Security Industry is permitted to operate in present relaxation given, with 33% of manpower and certain conditions to be fulfilled. This must not be seen as matter of jubilation! It is a matter of abundant precautions to be taken by the industry leaders to see that security manpower deployed by them are fully protected.
This webinar covers the specific aspect of resuming business after the lock down with the aim to keep professionals well informed on professional front and to remain ahead of change curve!
S B Tyagi
Chief Councilor, ICISS
The lifting of the lockdown will be gradual and a number of conflicting instructions both by the state and central governments may flow. In addition, there may be orders which are issued and later withdrawn by the agencies as the situation develops. Case in point is Karnataka allowing 33% work from 20th Apr and later withdrawing the same similarly delivery of non-essential commodities by e commerce companies was revoked. Corporates need to ensure that they are aware of latest instructions and the changes made.
The unlocking will need to be done in a phased manner by organisations. Since the offices have been closed for close to a month now starting work back will require a lot of planning. Initially teams like facilities, security and maintenance will be required to ensure the office spaces are ready and sanitised to get the employees back. For e.g. HVAC will need to be maintained, switched on and air quality monitored before offices start working.
In the next phase essential teams like IT need to be got to the offices to ensure that all systems are up and running for employees to start working.
In subsequent phases operational teams will need to be got to the office in a staggered manner maybe starting with 20-25 % attendance of critical resources and scaling it up as the situation and the need. Corporates need to guard against rushing and getting the teams to office and revering back from work from home options. The lockdown lifting can be temporary and may be again imposed depending on the situation, therefore these factors need to be considered before getting employees back to office.
Once the offices start functioning all norms for social distancing, hygiene etc. will strictly need to be followed. Companies will need to make adequate provisions for masks, PPEs, thermal camera/ Infrared Thermometer, sanitisers, disinfectants etc. Seating in office premises will need to be appropriately modified and specific instructions passed for operations of cafeterias, lifts etc. In the absence of public transport companies will need to fetch employees in company provided transport, the capacity of these will be severely reduced to ensure these are not overcrowded.
Companies will need to modify the way we work; Use of virtual meetings, VCs, E events etc will need to be adhered to. Travel both domestic and international will take a long time to restart.
Companies will also need to maintain an updated list of hospitals and other facilities needed for management of the COVID cases which are available in the vicinity of the offices and cities of operation.
Lastly, there will be a need to form a committee which should have members from, business continuity, security, facilities, operations and other relevant teams which can monitor the developing situation on a real time basis and advise leadership to take appropriate decisions on day to day running of the offices.
Col Vineet Sehgal (Retd)
Strategic Risk Consultant
The impacts of ongoing Coronavirus pandemic are continuously on the rise. The situation is likely to cause considerable influences on the life & safety, economy, global geo-political situation, socio-cultural situation, work habits and conflicts. As a business, to be effective in the new balance that will be achieved post the pandemic, one has to re-invest and be more relevant than earlier days. This can be accomplished through diligent study of cause-effect relationship. The rules of the game will change for governments, businesses and organizations
Businesses need to be ready to meet the new demands in the global markets post the pandemic. They are required to be ready with personnel having the right skills required for newer demands. Businesses will have to factor in the costs needed to ascertain whether they are aligned with the market needs.
With the global economy rebooting, newer practices, methods, and skills will be required for businesses to adapt to the new market conditions. Customers would be looking for a service provider who has adapted to the changed needs and at an optimal price. Businesses will have to ascertain whether they are priced right in the new conditions post the pandemic for customers to afford their services and stay relevant in the industry. Businesses that innovate and have used the pandemic crisis to reinvent themselves are the ones likely to survive. This will hold true across sectors. In the near to medium term businesses that have been resilient during the crisis and have tided the storm are likely to be prepared.
With the global economy rebooting, newer practices, methods, and skills will be required for businesses to adapt to the new market conditions. Customers would be looking for a service provider who has adapted to the changed needs and at an optimal price. Businesses will have to ascertain whether they are priced right in the new conditions post the pandemic for customers to afford their services and stay relevant in the industry.
With the global economy rebooting, newer practices, methods, and skills will be required for businesses to adapt to the new market conditions. Customers would be looking for a service provider who has adapted to the changed needs and at an optimal price. Businesses will have to ascertain whether they are priced right in the new conditions post the pandemic for customers to afford their services and stay relevant in the industry.
Businesses that innovate and have used the pandemic crisis to reinvent themselves are the ones likely to survive. This will hold true across sectors. In the near to medium term businesses that have been resilient during the crisis and have tided the storm are likely to be prepared.
Capt Guru Pawan Singh
President, IIRIS Consulting
The Handling of Cash and ATM operations follow very strict and well defined processes. It has to, because cash being a very attractive and invitingly pilferable item, has to be accounted for at every stage!
Also, the movement of Cash from one place to another is also very vulnerable to an attack from anti -social elements and therefore has to have adequate security and safety features in built into the entire process of Cash in Transit (CIT) as it is called. Similarly, ATM operations also have built in security and surveillance features and well defined processes.
Now none of these processes can be tampered with or deviated from. Hence they have to be observed and adhered to at all times, come what may!
Now, with the Covid19 pandemic becoming a nightmarish reality, the template of combating or safeguarding against Covid19 has to be superimposed on the processes under which Cash Handling and ATM operations have to be carried out.
The basic features which have to be observed in safeguarding ourselves from the Corona virus are well known. However, how they have to be applied in the CIT Domain are going to be discussed briefly:
(a) Screening of Manpower: Ensure that no person suspected to be having symptoms of being Corona positive is deployed on duty. Hence undertake IR Thermal Temperature screening of every person both when they report and when they disperse from duty.
Also, ask them all to download the Arogya Setu App which must be utilised effectively.
Do not deploy those who are having vulnerabilities like Diabetes, Hypertension and other afflictions.
(b) Sanitation: All surfaces have to be sanitised at least two to three times a day. These would include amongst others; Doors ,Doorways, Vaults, Distribution points, PCs and office Equipment ,Cash sorting and Cash Counting Machines, Cash Vans ,Cash Carrying trunks, locks, Weapons, Calculators, Mobile phones and Wash Rooms etc. The ATM sites though are expected to be sanitised by the site Housekeeping staff but ATM Custodians, for their own safety, should carry Sanitisers and wiping cloth etc.
(c) Personal Safety: Frequent handwashing or liberal use of Sanitisers has to be resorted to.
Every person must wear a mask and gloves. Hence each person should be issued with at least 3 Sets of washable masks and Gloves, so that they wear a fresh set each day
(d) Social Distancing: Social Distancing has to be maintained to the extent possible. So the teams should be given staggered timings to report for cash collection so as to avoid overcrowding around the Vaults. Handing Over/Taking over of the Cash as well as various Reports and Documents should be carried out by ensuring Social Distancing.
It may be remembered that in a Cash Van, the crew of 5 have to sit and move in a cramped place and they simply have to be extra careful so as to not touch or breathe or sneeze while facing each other.
Col Naresh Malhan
President - Corporate Affairs at APS GROUP (INDIA)
