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More than picket fence in a picket

South Africa's biggest companies all have to withstand their fair share of theft and attacks on their overall security and, like other large organisations throughout the world, they have to keep abreast of what might happen in terms of workforce uprisings. Strike action could be struck at any time.

Certainly companies neither want nor willingly invite strike action. Equally, these big organisations employing large labour forces that belong to national unions, simply cannot anticipate when they might become the focal point for a union's expression of its dissatisfaction over pay or work conditions. But these things are a reality and, much as it might not be that attractive to contemplate, a plan for combating the impacts of aggressive - rather than merely passive - action need to be considered.

As has been witnessed, a workforce strike may be non-aggressive in its intention and at the outset, but sometimes tempers erupt and emotions fly and the safety of an organisation's buildings and grounds may be at risk from the very people it employs.

Ticket to picket security

Having the foresight to install specialist fencing is certainly an integral if not crucial part of a large company's risk and crisis management. Multinational oil company, Shell, worked together with fencing specialist, Bekaert Bastion in South Africa, to design and specially engineer a riot fencing system for its refinery in Nigeria. Using Bekaert's Sentinel Bi-Steel Posts, the fence structure can withstand the impact of pressure from hundreds of people pushing against it and has been designed to endure forces at the central area of the fence, which makes it ideal in combating strike offences.

Added value comes in the form of Bekaert Bastion's unique Bezinal coated aluminium and zinc wire base, which provides maximum corrosive protection and ensures the fence's long life.

Adds Bekaert Bastion managing director, Michael Rodenburg, "Shell is now not only protected from potentially aggressive strike action but will also have a fencing system that combines environmental-friendliness, high durability and the optimum in perimeter fencing security.

"Perhaps the best testimony to this unique riot fencing product is that it has been installed around the British Houses of Parliament in London ... a building that has withstood its fair share of protests over the centuries. If the British government does not know how to take these things seriously and take the right precautions too, then who does?"

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