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It is a company’s responsibility to provide a safe and secure working environment for its staff and visitors. Therefore proper and efficient security is a must, this includes features such as CCTV, authorised access, emergency exits etc. However, taking your security efforts further by introducing other measures could mean the difference in a life-threatening situation. Below is a list of best practices, in regards to security, for a workplace to follow: The employer must: Document all current security measures Look at current security measures, break those down and consider what measures are missing? What other measures could be implemented in the workplace? Are there any risks involved with not having those other security measures? Ensure that everyone has quick communication available if any problems arise Make sure staff have a way of contacting others in the workplace if needed Make sure that staff are trained and briefed on the security policies in the workplace Although following security best practices will help the workplace, there are a variety of further security solutions available, some of those include: Concierge A concierge enables you to combine the role of a receptionist and a security guard into one. This allows you to save money as you would not need to employ a separate receptionist- 2 for the price of 1! A concierge also allows your visitors to be welcomed by a member of security, making them feel more secure whilst in the establishment. Mobile Patrols Sometimes a permanent security presence could provide a sense of intimidation to some workplaces, this is when a mobile security patrol may be better suited. Mobile patrols will still be making sure the assets and staff are safe, but without being contained to one area. This may be particularly useful if there are lone workers at certain times of the day. Stewarding Stewarding is necessary for events as they are able to provide direction, guidance and protection for the crowd. Recently, security has become a concern for many people. By having Stewarding at your event it can really help people to feel safe and secure. Alarm activations The idea of attending premises when the alarm has been activated can be a scary thought for some. Therefore having a fully trained member of security to attend on your behalf can take that worry away. Particularly after they carry out a full check and search of the building, ensuring that there is no damage, theft or criminal activity occurring inside. WINNS Services has been established for over two decades providing security services to clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you are wondering whether you would benefit from further security measures, call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

You may be thinking ‘No not me, I always clean everywhere’, but there may be a few spots missing their regular disinfect and polish. This post highlights 5 places you may be forgetting to clean in your office! Inside drawers - Drawers hold a variety of different items, whether that be a desk drawer, filing cabinet or kitchen drawers. The insides need to be cleaned due to containing some of the most germ-ridden items in your office. A build-up of dirt, dust and grime is not somewhere you will want to be storing your items which you will be handling. Company fridge - Yes you may be cleaning the inside of the fridge, but remember to include the outside and back of the fridge in this clean as just as many germs can be found upon the outside. Dust builds up in the vents and coils (dust is mainly made up of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibres, paper fibres, human skin cells etc) therefore cleaning in those areas are also a priority. Plants - Plants in the office get dusty too! When it is eventually noticed, it is usually wiped away with a hand. However, most people do not know that the natural oils in our skin are harmful to plants. The best option for cleaning houseplants is a dampened cloth with water and regular soil watering, without cleaning, plants are often left to accumulate dust- not a good look for prospective clients or a clean employee workspace. Litter bins - Regularly changing bin sacks is a good way of reducing the number of germs in the bin. However, it is often forgotten that the bins will need cleaning too, both inside and out. This includes normal bins, recycling bins and consumable waste bins. It is advised to disinfect at least once a month, especially the consumable waste bins as these often harbour and breed germs. Computer - A simple wipe down is not good enough for a computer, this includes the mouse, keyboard and computer tower. Make sure to clean ALL aspects fully, but remember not to spray directly onto any electrical equipment! Also, do not place the hoover directly over your items as the process creates static electricity which could damage your computer. WINNS Services has been established for over two decades providing cleaning and security services to clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you have any questions regarding the cleaning services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, don't hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

Fire is still as much of a threat today than it was 100 years ago. Although security and safety are often at the forefront of every business’ mind, fire detection may still not be as commonly thought of. All fire officials will tell you how important a few seconds is to save lives, as well as minimal property damage. Although safety measures will be in place to try and prevent fire in the workplace, it is important to have a system in place to warn people if a fire is caused. GOV.UK says that it is required for a business to have a fire detection and warning alarm system in the workplace. It is a necessary outline in the fire safety risk assessment. Businesses must also make sure that the mechanism is properly installed in order for it to work properly. When installing the system, make sure to consider the placement. The placement determines how successful the device is at detecting fire, as well as being effectively visible and audible of its warning. It is important to know that the proper placement will depend on the type of device and the layout of the building. The piece of equipment must also be placed at a safe distance from any lights, air conditioning vents, radiators and ceiling fans as these could cause inaccurate fire detection. Fire detection systems must be tested weekly in order to know if the alarm is consistently working. If it is not regularly tested, this could cause an emergency to be undetected. The device should also be properly serviced, the frequency of the service will depend on the size and capacity of the device- although usually, this is every 12 months. Although a business may have an appropriate fire safety risk assessment in place, it is crucial that you communicate that everyone takes instant action as soon as the alert is sounded. The system is there to detect a fire quickly so those inside the premises can leave the building swiftly- any delay can result in injury, damage and even loss of lives. Here at WINNS Services, we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you have any questions regarding the fire detection services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, please do not hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

The cleanliness of a workplace can sometimes be debatable. The office may look clean, but is it actually ‘clean’? Clean by definition, provided by Oxford Dictionaries, is something that is ‘ Free from dirt, marks, or stains.’ Something or somewhere can be free from marks or stains, but it is the dirt which we need to focus on. Dirt can be invisible to the naked eye, it is only upon inspection we can see that it is contaminated with germs. Here are 3 places in the workplace that are a lot dirtier than they seem: Computer - Did you know your computer is, on average, 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat? Therefore if you are a ‘sit at your desk and eat’ type of person maybe it is time this changed. You should try to clean your computer at least once a month. This includes the monitor, keyboard, mouse and system unit. The Kitchen - Communal areas are often the places which contain the most germs. Although they may appear clean and clear, particular items are unknowingly harboring bacteria. Items such as milk bottles, the kettle and handles to drawers are some of the most contaminated areas of the office, wiping them with some antibacterial cleaners will help contain the spread of germs. Stairs/Lift - Everyone in the office will be using the stairs and/or lift to enter the premises. Numerous hands are being used upon the handrails and buttons, meaning the opportunity for microbes to multiply in these areas are high. Although they may not appear to be ‘dirty’, the germs will still be making a home of the rails and buttons. It is important to focus cleaning efforts on areas where a large number of people will be touching and using the items, as they will have the most hidden bacteria. By being aware of these unknown areas, it can allow your workplace to reduce its risk of illness due to the containment of germs, bacteria and viruses. This helps the workplace to be a happier and healthier environment for both employees and visitors, therefore, improving company productivity. Here at WINNS Services, we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you have any questions regarding the cleaning services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, please do not hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

It is crucial for all businesses to focus on their health and safety measures to ensure all persons within the company building are kept safe and are not vulnerable to any hazards within the area. Below outline five of the most common health and safety breaches that occur within the workplace, and more importantly, how they can be avoided. 1. Electrical Hazards With so many companies relying on technology for the efficient running of their business, it does increase the likelihood of electrical hazards within the workplace. From over heating machinery to extensive use of extension leads, electrical hazards are an issue to be taken incredibly seriously and investigated to avoid any fire risks. Two of the most common electrical hazards are, as mentioned above, over heating machinery and extension lead use. Machinery when working constantly must be monitored regularly to check that they are running safely and smoothly. If a fault occurs, it can cause the item to overheat, which can lead to a fire igniting. Extension leads are only built to sustain a certain amount of power, as it is ultimately still plugged into the one power source. This should be remembered when plugging many appliances and equipment into an extension lead to check how much power it can handle, and how much power these items require in the first place.

In one of our previous blog posts, we discussed what the ACS accreditation is, and what the benefits are to having a security company that is accredited. From this it was concluded that ACS highlights to clients that the service provided is of a high quality, and abides by the various commitments that demands specific qualifications for approval. However there is also a key point to being an approved contractor, and this is ensuring that both the security company and staff deal with situations in a safe and professional manner. This has a large part to play in the role of insurance also. If there is a scenario that occurs which leads to the involvement of insurance companies, there could be a big issue if the security company involved is not ACS approved. ACS Accreditation and Insurance Payout Let's take a quick step backwards. In order to be a part of SIA's Approved Contractor Scheme, the security company would need to be approved, and licensed in the following areas based on the services they provide: Cash and Valuables Transit Close Protection Door Supervision Key Holding Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) Security Guard Vehicle Immobilising If you are a business owner that hires a company for any of these services, you could be at risk if your provider is not ACS approved. If a situation occurs which involves complaints, breaches, hazards or unlawful activities to name a few, and it leads to the involvement of an insurance company, if your security company that was used in dealing with the issue was not ACS approved, you could face big problems with your insurance payout. This is due to the fact that if you have unlicensed security staff working, it means that you have not put all of the procedures in place to safe guard the situation, and what could have been prevented or improved if the staff involved were licensed. It may seem particular that this would cause an issue, but it can. So make sure your company is protected against such occurrences by using a security company that is licensed and approved. You can check which security companies are ACS Approved and have SIA licensed staff using this search database. WINNS Services prides itself on providing services that exceeds expectations. We are ACS accredited which secures our commitment to high quality and professional services. If you have any questions regarding our services, please don't hesitate to give us a call on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk. If you would like to learn more about the ACS Accreditation, click here for a great resource from the Home Office.