Protecting Essential Workers
Essential workers are risking COVID-19 infection every day. And the stress of a pandemic is changing the way the public deals with essential workers. With increasing reports of aggression and violence against essential workers and the risk of contamination, employers must care for their employees. They have to ensure the safety of their essential workers who are keeping communities 
How Body-worn Cameras Help
A body-worn camera is a small, unobtrusive device specifically designed for commercial businesses to deter public aggression towards workers. In addition to recording interactions, the cameras provide an added sense of security to those wearing them.
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, verbal and physical abuse, including deliberate coughing and spitting on frontline workers, has been documented within stores from Missouri and Massachusetts to the United Kingdom. Many leading fast-casual restaurants are issuing body-worn cameras to the staff assigned to enforcing social distancing rules within their store.
During such incidents, the employee can verbally notify the aggressor of the fact they are wearing a body-worn camera, which often de-escalates the situation immediately. However, in cases where the abuse continues, the body-worn camera is activated by the employee simply with the click of a button.
This click initiates recording and when a body-worn camera is used in combination with the employer’s existing surveillance system, it can prompt an alarm and live video stream to the control room. This alarm then alerts security staff to the incident and allows urgent evaluation of the situation. The benefit of this integration is that body-worn camera footage is available alongside CCTV, giving an overall view of the incident as it unfolds. Should the need arise, the body-worn camera footage can be shared with law enforcement officials to assist in an investigation. This reduces the amount of time required to convict an offender and can reduce the emotional impact on the victim by alleviating the need to appear in court.
The installation of a body-worn camera system is cost-effective and simple. It is easily suited to any company’s IT infrastructure and network. And the cameras are intuitive to use, requiring minimal operational training for employees.
During periods of uncertainty, protecting essential workers and equipping them with the tools to do their job safely and without fear is critical. By leveraging Avigilon’s body-worn camera technology, companies can guarantee their employees are ready to protect themselves.
