BODY ARMOUR FOR DOORMEN AND DOORWOMEN

BODY ARMOUR FOR DOORMEN AND DOORWOMEN

Hotel and building personnel like doormen and doorwomen often come in close contact with all types of individuals. Their task of checking suspicious visitors is possibly one of the hardest jobs in the security industry. You have to be constantly alert to capture anyone, who’s trying to enter armed with knives, guns or other types of weapons. This job has the potential to become dangerous, as often individuals, whether carrying weapons or not, can turn aggressive or violent when stopped at the door. In order to do their job properly, doormen and doorwomen should be given the correct type of body armour to protect them from any potential threats.

Before purchasing any type of body armour, you should assess the types of threats you are likely to face at your job. Selecting the right level of protection keeps you safe and better prepared to deal with all dangers you can face. For example, doormen and doorwomen at hotels and buildings in dangerous urban areas will require a higher degree of protection than those working in safe neighbourhoods. Carrying out a threat assessment helps you identify any potential dangers and prepare yourself to address them.

It is important to choose an adequate level of protection as this allows you to fulfil your working duties to the best of your abilities. A vest with a too high level can prove to be an inconvenience as higher levels are bulkier and heavier. There is no reason for doormen and doorwomen to wear bulletproof vests as more often they’re attacked with sharp and edged blade objects and weapons. In an urban setting knives, spikes and broken glasses are the most commonly used weapons to attack service personnel. Stab and spike resistant vests are designed to be lighter and more versatile. They are available in covert style, which fits comfortably underneath the uniform and remains discreet. Some body armour provides protection against small handguns as well as stab and spike attacks, which can be a suitable choice for doormen and doorwomen.

Why doormen and doorwomen need protection?

You can’t perform your work responsibilities if you feel threatened or exposed. Doormen and doorwomen are no exception to this rule and will not work to the best of their abilities if they fear for their safety. The best way to guarantee a building is protected is to ensure the people who guard it are safe and secure at work.

The first step is deciding if you need over or covert body armour. Different employers may have different criteria and internal standards, so you should always check with your supervisors. Busy buildings that are frequented by different types of people require door staff to wear overt vests for extra visibility and protection. Sensitive installations and buildings housing expensive equipment are usually protected by doormen and doorwomen wearing high density overt body armour. This is because it is the responsibility of the doormen to restrict access in case of robbery or assault. On the other hand, covert body armours are often worn in places, where there are few visitors or when building owners don’t want unnecessary attention from the general public.

The right kind of body armour

As a general rule - security firms acquiring body armour for doormen and doorwomen should not buy substandard products. If they do so they are likely endangering their personnel as well as risking the safety and security of the building visitors and residents. The right body armour for doormen and doorwomen should be approved by the necessary government body. Before any armour can be cleared for distribution, it must meet minimum standards to ensure it offers the right levels of protection. Money spent on substandard armour is often money wasted, as the armour does not perform its required function. This can have severe consequences for the individual wearing the armour.