PLH GROUP NEWS
PLH Group Ensures Workplace Security
Date: December 17, 2020
We all value our personal security. From home security systems to cyber data protection, we have measures in place to protect ourselves from theft and harm. However, are we fully protected at the workplace, as well? Security precautions must be taken on the job by the employer and all employees to ensure workplace safety and security.
PLH Group — an energy-focused construction company serving the electric power line, pipeline, oil field electrical, and industrial markets — not only values the safety of each of its employees, but also their security.
Vice president of Safety, Health, and Environmental, Elsie Bentley, said, “PLH Group takes the security of our organization — including all members of our teams — very seriously. We look at the comprehensive scope of workplace safety and take all necessary measures to combat workplace security threats, including threats to asset protection, personnel safety, and cyber security.”
Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash
Asset Protection
Asset protection can be a major concern for construction companies. If not secured, construction sites can be tempting locations for by-passers, as well as animals, to enter. They are also common locations for material and tool theft.
One of the most effective ways to protect workplace assets is to first perform a risk assessment. Risk assessments may vary at different locations and projects, as well as change from year to year. These recommended precautions will not only ensure personnel safety, but also provide increased asset protection:
- Lighting – Installing lighting on the construction site is one of the easiest ways to deter unwanted guests from the job site.
- Signs – Simple warning signs heed caution to those attempting to enter the site.
- Locked Gates and Fences – Locked and fenced off areas add a barrier of protection from those not needing to be on site, including wildlife.
- Motion Sensors and Alarms – Alarms may scare away intruders prior to security violations.
- Site Surveillance – Onsite security guards and video surveillance give organizations insight of potential or known security infringements.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Personnel Safety
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), around 2 million people are victims of workplace violence each year. This violence can be verbal or physical, and may occur at or outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, no one is immune from workplace violence. Additionally, offenders can be difficult to identify, for they may be within or outside of the organization.
OSHA’s tips to protect personnel from workplace violence include:
- Provide safety training. This ensures employees know how to identify unsafe situations.
- Secure the work site. This includes methods as mentioned above.
- Provide field employees communication devices. Ensure employees who are often on the road or working in remote locations check in with coworkers often so their location is always known.
- Avoid unfamiliar locations. If necessary, work in a buddy system.
- Open communication with supervision. Employees should notify a supervisor if a situation does not seem safe.
- Know what possessions you have with you. Carry minimal money and always have proper identification.
Of course, the safety and security of personnel extends beyond workplace violence. Traveling, for example, poses a security threat to employees. Proper planning while traveling mitigates risks to employee safety and security.
Cyber Security
In just the first six months of 2019, more than 3,800 publicly disclosed security data breaches were identified, exposing 4.1 billion records. Individuals, as well as organizations, must continually protect online data.
Tips to keep your workplace data safe include:
- Train employees about data security precautions. Teach employees not only what is expected of them to maintain organization-wide security, but also what the organization is doing to protect employee data.
- Secure portable devices with a passcode. This protects who can access the device’s data.
- Require two-factor authentication. This added security measure is a second layer of protection prior to accessing a device’s data.
- Be cautious of suspicious emails. Alert a supervisor prior to responding to a suspicious email.
Photo by John Salvino on Unsplash
The safety and security of workers is not only the responsibility of the organization, but also each employee. PLH Group trains employees on how to identify, avoid, and mitigate security threats, making PLH Group offices and job sites a safer place for all employees.
