Bodies In Security And Fire Sector Further Call For UKAS-accredited Companies To Be Designated As ‘Key Workers’

Bodies within the Security and Fire sector, namely the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Fire and Security Association (FSA), National Security Inspectorate (NSI), and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) are re-iterating calls for employees of all security and fire safety companies approved by UKAS-accredited specialist certification bodies to be designated as ‘Key Workers’, to ensure environments not currently designated as ‘critical’ continue to be protected.

Currently those companies providing a service to an institution or business classified as ‘critical’, e.g. hospitals, social care, supermarkets and the food supply chain, national infrastructure and utilities, and their employees are classified as ‘Key Workers’ as the services they provide are required to enable these public spaces to continue to function safely.

Non-Critical public sector spaces

Companies must identify those employees operating under the eight broad headings issued by the government last Friday and act accordingly. With public security resources limited it is vital private security companies are well positioned to provide those activities crucial to the ongoing security of other non-critical public sector spaces, homes and businesses. This is particularly essential with so many organizations now working remotely, ensuring their building and assets are kept safe and secure.

In view of the further challenging measures laid out by the government last night, the industry bodies are calling for the following employees working for NSI and SSAIB approved companies in security and fire safety, to be designated as ‘Key Workers’ including but not limited to:

• Approved Alarm Receiving Centers (ARC) security screened operators facilitating police response to intruder and hold-up alarms
• Intruder alarm and hold-up alarm installation and maintenance security screened engineers
• Fire detection and alarm system installer and maintenance engineers
• Life safety fire risk assessors
• Portable fire equipment technicians
• All SIA license holders including security screened
  • security officers
  • key holding response officers

Stating these employees are ‘Key Workers’ will enable them to continue to support the public and emergency services and be available to travel without restriction, safe in the knowledge their children can attend school if necessary.