Most of the LA warehouse operators have an underestimate of the number of guards required in the facility. The size, risk and hours of the warehouse security guards Los Angeles California operators hire must match. It leaves gaps that organized theft rings exploit, every night, when there is understaffing. So, you should know your true staffing needs to prevent you from losing inventory, employees and your profits. This guide consists of California law, frameworks, shift structures and costs that you need to know.
What California Law Says About Warehouse Security Requirements
There isn’t a single California law that specifies a certain number of guards a warehouse needs to have. Several regulatory and legal mechanisms however impose strong practical obligations which cannot be ignored. Therefore, it is important to understand these frameworks to make statements about staffing decisions in your facility that are made with documentation and that can be defended.
Is There a Legal Minimum Guard Requirement for Warehouses in California?
There is no statewide requirement for a private warehouse to have a universal guard ratio in California. State licensing authorities, however, have particular requirements for the security of cannabis storage and pharmaceutical production sites. Additionally, there’s a growing trend for insurers and logistics clients to demand proof of security measures before partnering with you.
How BSIS Licensing Applies to Guards Deployed at Your Facility
All guards who work in your warehouse should have a current BSIS guard card. Private security officers throughout California are licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. In addition, your security firm will also need to have an active BSIS patrol operator license.
Insurance and Liability Requirements
When the foreseeable security threats were not addressed, California courts have found the businesses liable. Your commercial property insurance policy might have a condition or stipulation that you have to have documented guard deployment to cover the insurance. So, a written security plan is a legal safeguarding for your business and an effective aid to insurance claims in the future.
5 Factors That Determine How Many Guards Your Warehouse Needs
There is no “one size fits all” solution for security concerns or staffing needs for any two Los Angeles warehouses. Therefore determining how many guards you need begins by honestly assessing five of the key factors of a facility. The amount of guards required each shift is directly influenced by each.
Facility Size and Square Footage Coverage
It is only realistic to have a limited physical area per guard shift that can be monitored and patrolled. More expansive facilities with several zones need extra guards to provide coverage for all the zones. Therefore, your starting point in making your staffing calculation is always total square footage.
Number of Entry Points, Docks, and Access Zones
Each loading dock, pedestrian entrance, and vehicle gate is a security risk. The standard security guard-to-area ratio for warehouses in Los Angeles California security deployments is 1 guard for each main access area. Also, it is highly likely that multiple simultaneous posts will be required at facilities having more than 4 entry points.
Inventory Value and Cargo Theft Risk Level
These types of inventories demand higher than normal levels of guards and may need armed coverage. Plus, there is an increased risk of interception for cargo around the Ports of LA and Long Beach year-round.
Operating Hours and Shift Structure
The requirements for guards at a single-shift operation are different from the requirements for guards at a continuous 24-hour operation. If an overnight receiving or shipping facility, guard presence should be maintained during the hours the receiving or shipping is taking place. Plus, windows for shift changes offer the greatest opportunity for theft at any warehouse in existence today.
Location and Neighborhood Risk Profile in LA County
The number of security guards in Los Angeles, CA, warehouses differs from one location to another. There are higher risks of theft at facilities from Vernon, Commerce, South LA and the San Fernando Valley. Therefore, the overall guard count and coverage must directly be affected by location at all times.
How to Staff 24/7 Warehouse Security Coverage in Los Angeles
Round the clock coverage means there are no gaps in service, especially over the weekend and during the night when thieves are looking to score a quick steal. But more than most operators would expect and budget for, 24/7 staffing demands a lot more guards. So, knowing about shift structure before employing helps to avoid starting off with unnecessary understaffing. A standard 24/7 model has three rotating 8 hour shifts over a full week. At least one guard per post required with overlap during transition periods for each shift. For a two post facility, it takes about 6-7 guards for full weekly coverage.
The number of minimum guards required per shift for 24/7 coverage.
To cover for a minimum of 24 hours a day, most mid-size LA warehouses require a minimum of 3 guards. This number includes rotating shifts, days off and required absences during the week. Furthermore, the inclusion of a shift supervisor helps to increase accountability, and helps to have uniform documentation of patrols on all shifts.
Cover Gap Management for Shift Change overs
Professional security companies plan to have overlapping handoffs so incoming security guards show up before the outgoing guards leave. A well-designed transition will also remove the short window of opportunity that experienced thieves are looking for.
Armed vs Unarmed Guards for LA Warehouses: Which Do You Need?
The type of guard depends solely on the value of your inventory and the risks associated with where your inventory is located. Thus this decision should be based on a realistic assessment of what is your real situation on a day to day basis at your facility. They both address the needs in the Los Angeles market at various price points.
When Unarmed Guards Are Sufficient for Warehouse Coverage
Lower risk warehouses, food distributors and general merchandise tend to be good candidates for unarmed guards. Professional intimidation, albeit in plain sight, is enough to deter those environments from going to the trouble and expense of deploying armed guards. Also, unarmed guards may be a better choice for establishments that have regular employee and vendor traffic.
Per-Shift Cost Estimates Unarmed and Armed Guards
The average pay for an unarmed guard in Los Angeles is about $20 to $32 per hour. The pay level for armed guards covering higher risk facilities is around $30 to $55 per hour. The monthly cost of a mid-size facility with two, 24/7 unarmed posts is approximately $15,000 to $25,000. The monthly cost for armed guard coverage at the same facility can be $40,000 or more. Thus, a professional site evaluation will provide a much more accurate cost than any estimate that is general in nature.
Choosing a BSIS Licensed warehouse security company in LA is a difficult task.Selecting a BSIS Licensed Warehouse security Company in LA is a hard task. Selecting the right company is as important as deciding on the right guard count. So use a structured verifier checklist prior to signing a warehouse security services contract. Some pointed questions easily distinguish the professionals from the mere job-hunters.
FAQs
Can one security guard protect a whole warehouse?
One guard can protect a small facility less than 50,000 sq.ft. with few entry points. Wherever there are more than one dock and overnight activity, larger facilities will always have more than one guard per shift.
Are warehouse security guards licensed by the BSIS?
According to California law, all guards in your facility should have a valid BSIS card. Failure to hire licensed guards will mean that your business is vulnerable to fines and actual liability.
What is the quickest way that you can have guards deployed at my warehouse?
Most Los Angeles security firms have the ability to send guards on the ground within 24 to 48 hours. Same day response in emergencies depending upon staffing availability and location.
Conclusion
The most critical warehouse security decision is how many guards you will need. While there are no requirements for a minimum height for guards in California, there are actual requirements due to insurance and liability. Eagle Eye Pro, a BSIS licensed security company in Los Angeles, offers a range of security guards that fit each facility’s requirements. Call us today to get a no-cost site assessment and a tailored deployment plan.
