The colder months bring both driving challenges and seasonal security concerns. Ensuring your drivers and other employees are aware of the concerns and the facility security is critical to preventing issues. Consider the following winter security tips to help protect your employees, freight, and facilities:
Driver Concerns
- Don’t leave the engine idling to keep the cab warm when the vehicle is unattended.
- Don’t take shortcuts in loading, sealing, and unloading to avoid the cold. Responsibility and protection of the freight remains the same all year round.
- Be alert at truck stops. Even though it may a frigid winter night, always be alert to surroundings. A hasty run to or from the truck stop could open the driver up to personal security risks.
- Have a deicer available for sticky locks. A frozen lock is not an excuse not to lock or relock a load. Drivers are vulnerable if the cab door is frozen shut when trying to re-enter the vehicle after a stop.
- Check the condition of the locks after the season for rust (from salty roads) and replace as necessary.
Facility Security
A motor carrier’s maintenance department or snow removal service will soon be tasked with plowing. Aside from the safety risks of slippery lots and walkways, consider the following security risks associated with winter.
- Don’t plow huge snowbanks so that someone can easily scale a fence or wall.
- Shave or level snowbanks periodically to keep criminals from avoiding detection from lights or security guards.
- Knock snow off lights, security cameras, prohibitive signs at gates or entrances, gate components, or other equipment that may be affected.
- Ensure the facility’s doors lock and properly seal in the cold. A door that is bowing or a door frame that is warped could allow access via a crowbar or other tool that could slip in the crack.
- Adjust the timer on your lot lights (if not dusk-to-dawn activated) since there is less daylight
- Offer an escort to and from the building to the parking lot for those employees arriving and/or exiting when it is dark.
These simple considerations can save you, your employees, and your property.
Photo by Lex Valishvili on Unsplash.
The colder months bring both driving challenges and seasonal security concerns. Ensuring your drivers and...