High-volume logistics security must account for the movement of delivery vehicles, employees, contractors and visitors, often within the same operational environment.

Safe Work Australia’s Traffic Management Guide: Warehousing identifies vehicle movements, pedestrian interactions and site procedures as important considerations in managing warehouse traffic risks.

While traffic management remains an operational responsibility, these conditions also affect where Security Officers work, the access requirements they follow and the situations they may encounter.

Effective security coverage therefore needs to reflect how the facility operates, rather than simply whether a security position is staffed.

Access Control Must Align With Site Requirements

At logistics facilities, access control can involve checking more than whether a driver, contractor or visitor is expected.

SafeWork NSW’s Guide to Work Health and Safety in the Road Freight Transport Industry discusses the importance of communicating delivery arrangements, site access information, induction requirements and arrival procedures to drivers.

For Security Officers assigned to gatehouse duties, these requirements help establish what must be checked before entry is permitted.

A scheduled delivery does not necessarily mean every access requirement has been met. Entry may still depend on the site’s authorisation or induction procedures.

Clear access requirements help Security Officers carry out the necessary checks without taking responsibility for transport scheduling or warehouse operations.

Security Responses Require Clear Escalation Arrangements

An alarm activation, attempted unauthorised entry or incident in a restricted area may require a Security Officer to respond while normal logistics operations continue.

The appropriate response depends on the nature of the incident and the officer’s assigned duties.

For instance, an alarm activation may require the Security Officer to investigate within their authority, follow the applicable response procedure and notify designated personnel.

However, decisions about suspending warehouse activity or changing access to an operational area may require site management’s involvement. Clear escalation arrangements help ensure security matters reach the personnel authorised to make those decisions.

Operating Shifts Can Change Security Requirements

Security conditions at a logistics facility are not necessarily consistent throughout the day.

Peak periods may involve frequent deliveries, contractor movements and warehouse activity. Overnight operations may have fewer arrivals but also fewer personnel available to clarify unexpected access requests or respond to incidents.

Safe Work Australia’s guidance on managing workplace traffic risks highlights the importance of considering workplace conditions and how activities are carried out.

For security coverage, this means considering whether the requirements of a daytime position remain appropriate during evening or overnight operations.

Where operating conditions differ, access procedures, contact arrangements or assigned security duties may need to be reviewed.

Reviewing Security Coverage as Operations Change

Changes to a logistics facility can affect the suitability of existing security arrangements.

Extended operating hours, new access points, increased contractor activity or changes to delivery patterns may introduce requirements that were not present when coverage was first established.

For logistics and facilities managers, a review should consider whether Security Officers have clear access requirements, defined responsibilities and appropriate arrangements for responding to security matters.

The objective is not necessarily to increase the number of Security Officers onsite, but to determine whether the existing coverage remains appropriate for the facility’s operations.

Urban Protection Group works with clients to understand their site security requirements and the responsibilities associated with their security services.

To discuss security requirements for your logistics facility, contact info@urbanprotection.com.au.

Related reading: 5 Logistics Security Risks Emerging in High-Activity Sites