Lockout situations in business can be a major headache, potentially disrupting daily operations, overall productivity, and client relationships. Whether it’s a malfunctioning electronic access system, lost keys, or any other reason, managing a lockout situation at your business is crucial.
Below are a few pointers on handling such situations, ensuring they have minimal impact on your business.
Quick inspection and contact with the employees:
When a lockout situation occurs in your commercial space, assess the situation. Analyze the cause of the lockout and try to communicate with the employees as soon as possible.
If the lockout affects working hours, ask your employees to work from home and quickly inform key personnel such as IT staff, managers, and security guards to help employees.
Also read: BENEFITS OF HIRING AN EMERGENCY LOCKSMITH COMPANY?
Determine the cause:
Knowing the reason for the lockout is the basic step toward resolution. Some common causes include:
- Stolen keys: If keys are missing, determine when they were last seen and where. Check if they’re missing or stolen. This will help you decide what action to take.
- Human Error: Misjudgement or procedural errors include employees locking the entrances without realizing someone is still outside.
Quick Solutions:
Following are a few quick solutions that will help you in this matter.
- Check for extra keys: Check if there are any spare keys available. Storing a few extra keys in a backup is a good practice.
- Contacting a Locksmith: For physical locks, reaching a professional locksmith in Rhode Island is often the most immediate solution. It’s a good idea to contact a reliable locksmith service provider that offers 24/7 emergency support.
Assuring Employee Safety:
Employee safety should be your main priority during a lockout situation. Ensure that all the workers are in a safe location, especially if the lockout occurs outside regular working hours. Give clear instructions on where employees should go and how to inform their status.
Check this article: CAN A LOCKSMITH MAKE A KEY WITHOUT THE ORIGINAL?
Make a business continuity plan ASAP:
Make a business continuity plan as soon as possible if the lockout is expected to be delayed. Some of the key components of a business continuity plan in a lockout scenario include:
- Remote Work: If feasible, ask employees to work from home or another secure place. Ask your IT team to give the employees all the necessary tools so they can work easily from their preferred location.
- Client Communication: Report potential pauses or disturbances to clients and stakeholders. Clarity helps maintain trust and manage expectations.
- Alternative Locations: If you have numerous business locations, consider temporarily migrating affected operations to an alternative site.
Reporting and Documentation:
- Incident Report: Record every detail of the lockout, such as time, day, actions taken, causes, and resolution. This report will play an important role if this scenario happens again.
- Review and Analysis: After solving this lockout issue, properly investigate the incident to identify weaknesses in your current locking systems.
Preventive Actions:
To lessen the risk of future lockouts, implement the below preventive measures:
- Routine Maintenance: Check and maintain your lock from time to time. This includes updating the locking software, replacing the battery, and having locksmiths perform physical inspections.
- Access Policies: Set clear access control guidelines. This includes who has credentials to open the specific door and how access is granted or revoked.
Adapt new technology:
Leveraging modern technologies will help you tackle lockout risks.
- Smart Locks: Try to install smart locks because they will be controlled via smartphone apps. These smart locks come with advanced features like temporary access codes, which can be useful in lockout situations.
- Biometric Systems: Biometric systems are quite common these days. It reduces the reliance on physical keys.
Backup Plans:
Try to make a backup plan for these kinds of emergencies. Update a list of nearby emergency locksmiths, technical support personnel for electronic systems, etc. Make sure this list of important personnel is accessible even off-hours.
About the most reliable emergency locksmith service provider in Providence, Rhode Island
Lockouts can happen to anyone at any place. If your office has somehow been locked, it’s better not to become the hero and try unlocking it yourself. It will only increase your problems and ultimately cause damage to your space.
It’s always a great idea to contact a professional locksmith and ask them to come over and handle this issue. A licensed locksmith is fully capable of tackling this situation.
Olympia Locksmith experts can install advanced smart locks, reprogram transponders, fix broken ignition systems, and easily handle other types of lock issues. We are available 24/7 to help you. Contact us today to schedule a meeting or get a free estimate of our services. Your security is our priority; we are here to provide the peace of mind you deserve.
