may2024 - 20

FBO Focus
Properly Displaying Badges
Identification badges are a critical
component to airport security. But
as Bartoo notes, a secure badge
doesn't serve its purpose if it isn't
displayed properly.
" This is probably pretty intuitive, "
he says.
If a badge is hanging off a belt
hoop, inside a shirt pocket or under
a jacket, he adds, that's not necessarily
helping much.
An airport badge should be displayed
in a clearly visible location.
Bartoo says a neck lanyard or a
clip on the exterior of a shirt pocket
are really good options.
" In a past life many years ago, I
worked in baggage at the local airport, "
he adds. " I had an armband
because a neck lanyard was potentially
a little bit dangerous for the
equipment that I worked with. "
While an armband is a safe,
secure option, it must still be displayed
correctly - on the upper
bicep/below the shoulder - where it
can be easily seen.
To help ensure proper ID display,
Bartoo suggests creating a
policy that clearly states expectations
for personnel to comply with
best practices.
Airport Badging Policies
Updated security measures were
being implemented slowly before
the COVID pandemic added
urgency to these policies, according
to Bartoo.
With increased security checks,
new challenges may arise.
" If you don't have identification,
requirements for an escort have
become quite common, " Bartoo
says. " I've worked with a few maintenance
companies where they
had mechanics that traveled and
they went to a particular location.
And at that location - because they
didn't have a badge or company
identification - they were required
to have an escort with them. "
An FBO or airport may charge for
the escort's time and they may even
have a minimum amount of time
that they charge for, which Bartoo
notes could factor into business
practices. So, he says it's important
to understand the reasons for
having a secure airport identification
badge.
In addition to wearing a badge in
a clearly visible location, there are
important best practices for badges
and related procedures and policies.
Bartoo emphasizes badges should
not be shared by multiple people.
" Everyone should have their
own badge with their own photo
unique to that person. The content
on that badge, the information,
should be clear and legible - obviously
not smudged or damaged in
a way where you can't read it, or
tell who it is. "
The photo should be current, too.
According to Bartoo, it is
also important to establish an
easy-to-understand method
by which badges are issued
and managed.
" Do you have a checklist or
something that you're following,
or some kind of process that you're
following, every time to issue or
manage the badges that you can put
out to your employees? " he says. " If
someone leaves the company or the
badge expires, whatever the case
may be, do you have a process to
retrieve those badges and destroy
them? And how do you know? How
can you verify and make sure that
that's happening? "
Having processes in place allows
a business to ensure these details
are tracked correctly, Bartoo adds.
" Do you have the ability to deactivate
and reactivate badges? You may
work with some contract employees
too. It's pretty common in our
20 || Ground Support Worldwide || May 2024
space, " he continues. " So, you may
want to issue a badge to a contract
employee. Maybe you don't want
that badge to be active all the time.
Can you activate it while they're
working for you and deactivate it
while they're not? Having that ability,
at the very least, is important.
" Can you verify the employee
status with the company? Are they
an active employee? Are they not
an active employee? Can that be
checked by someone in security? "
Within a badging policy, Bartoo
recommends including language for
lost, stolen or damaged badges.
" Legibility is really important
with these things, so if the badge
becomes damaged or you can't
read the name, what's the policy by
which that employee can get a new
badge issued, or can get a replacement
issued? " he says.
" Or if they lose it, " Bartoo continues.
" Can they get that replaced in
some way and are you able to track
that process? "
If a badge is not working or it is
showing the incorrect status for an
employee, a policy should make it
clear where issues can be reported
and corrected.
When printing ID badges in-house
rather than relying on third-party
provider, Bartoo says, " authorized
personnel should be the ones that
have access to either ordering or
printing badges. You don't necessarily
want anyone to just be
able to walk into a room and print
out a badge. "
When printing in-house, he recommends
securing all materials.
This provides a safeguard even if
someone with nefarious goals gains
access to the printer.
Because mechanical issues and
breakdowns can occur. Bartoo also
recommends having a back-up
printer in a secure location to avoid
disruptions in operations.
may2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of may2024
