Imposing minimum safety standards and procedures for security guards will be called for by Tauranga Labour candidate Rachel Jones if she gets into the Beehive this election.

Rachel says the flood of security guards to Work and Income offices across the country following the fatal shootings in Ashburton has spotlighted an often neglected industry.

A security guard stands outside a WINZ office in Mount Maunganui.

She says many security guards are undertrained, underpaid, and underappreciated for their work, and higher standards must be put in place.

'This is a profession that we normally hear little about but one that deserves more attention as these men and women often face risks in carrying out their jobs.

'And they do that in an industry with low pay and poor conditions.”

Security companies often lack acceptable health and safety systems, and guards are denied bullet proof vests, appropriate communication technology and back-up because of costs involved, says Rachel.

Case in point: Guards at the Department of Social Welfare office in Courtenay Road appeared visibly shaken after a man was seen nearby last week, carrying a rifle case.

Security guards are alone and vulnerable, and their training is inadequate, she says.

Rachel says guards are calling for a nationwide Code of Practice for the profession, with a particular emphasis on safety.

'If I get into parliament, I will be calling for Worksafe to produce a Code of Practice similar to ones used by Australian States, and impose minimum safety standards and procedures on employers.

'I'd also like to see compulsory training include a practical component, and tenders for government contracts for security services should require a safety policy to be included and audited.”

Armourguard is the security company providing additional guards for WINZ offices.

In reply to questions about where the additional security guards came from, Armourguard Security general manager manned services Mark O'Brien says while the organisation uses the majority of its internal resources to meet the needs of its customer base, it uses additional resources from time to time.

It works with business partners committed to providing licenced guards, says Mark.

'Armourguard and its business partners have worked cohesively and swiftly to meet MSD's expanded requirements,” says Mark.

'While this has been a large and urgent deployment, Armourguard and its business partners have been acutely aware of the importance of it and responded accordingly.”

Armourguard has comprehensive mobile supervisory operations in place, to provide additional ongoing support to front line guards across the country, says Mark.