Protection against theft is a constant concern for construction companies. It is important to be vigilant 24/7 against anyone who wants to steal construction materials, tools, equipment, and vehicles. It means that construction firms need to invest in sophisticated security systems that can both act as a deterrent and gather evidence in the event of theft.
Construction site theft incurs costs to residential and commercial projects, and on-site security is critical as a money-saving step and a means to prevent costly production delays. Every stolen or damaged item must be repaired or replaced, which adds time and cost to any project.
Statistics from insurer Allianz Cornhill revealed that theft alone costs the industry £800 million a year, which becomes even more shocking when you realise that that figure only accounts for stolen equipment, and not the cost of stolen materials and tools.
We have a look at six key steps to combat construction site security risks.
Why Construction Sites Are Targets
Any business or property can be a target for crime, but the outdoor nature of most construction sites means the activity is out in the open and can be constantly exposed to criminal threats.
There are two main reasons for construction sites to seriously reconsider their current security measures based on traditional risks and current conditions:
They’re Open Plan and Attract Attention
Construction sites have the disadvantage of being high-profile public spaces full of valuable items, of which many are small and light enough to be quickly and imperceptibly removed. But thieves can also swipe larger and heavier equipment given time and resources.
Construction sites will often have a supply of valuable materials, such as steel or copper, which will be a target for thieves.
Construction Crime Is Increasing
Difficult economic times and job losses often cause a spike in many kinds of crime. The construction sector has it worse when financial problems cause work stoppages that leave sites dormant and unoccupied for extended periods. This makes them even more vulnerable to theft and vandalism and has caused construction crime to become a serious national concern quickly.
The most proactive construction sites understand they could be next without deterrents in place. Every team member should be educated on playing their part in ensuring their project won’t be the next statistic.
Construction Site Security Steps
It takes more than erecting a tall chain-link fence around a site to implement successful security, as it means accepting every element of risk you can identify and develop a security strategy that looks inside and outside your operation to catch criminals in the act. This can be done by:
Add a Surveillance System
Video surveillance and CCTV systems can perform multiple functions, including 360º views of the site, 24/7 motion detection cameras, and long-range thermal detection. Some systems will have live monitoring by experienced security personnel who are able to directly address suspects and contact the authorities.
Deploy On-Site Security Personnel
Any size construction site, particularly larger ones, can benefit from having security personnel operating on-site. They will be able to communicate with remote teams, possibly monitoring CCTV channels, to coordinate efforts to stop and catch criminals. Visible, on-site security personnel are also a great visual deterrent.
Establish Zero-Tolerance Policies On-Site
Effective on-site security means accepting that anyone can be a criminal, including employees and authorised site visitors. Form anti-theft policies posted around the site and distributed to any individual who enters the site is a good tactic. Ensure the consequences for breaking the rules are clear.
Protect Your Perimeter and Interior
Fences, locks, and lights are powerful criminal deterrents. Locks should be a cross-site application to secure gates, vehicles, equipment storage, and personnel cabins. Bright lighting illuminates sites, which are otherwise vast dark spaces with many smaller structures inside them – the perfect environment for criminals to operate unseen.
Register All Equipment
Every item on your building site will have a serial number, license plate, or other identifying feature that you should register, whether it’s a joist tool or a John Deere forklift.
Construction firms should speak to local authorities, law enforcement, and their insurer to find the right ways to register. They should also appoint an equipment-management officer to ensure all items are signed for and returned.
Allow Only a Single Access Point Wherever Possible
This is an ideal situation because it limits avenues of opportunity for construction thieves. The sheer scale of many construction operations negates single-point access, however. This makes it mission-critical to monitor every entrance and exit with enhanced security measures.
Working with a professional security firm will help root out every potential risk to your site while covering every base a criminal might exploit. Your security representative should be experienced in the field and able to provide site-specific solutions tailored to your needs. Working as a team helps prevent the many weaknesses created by underestimating the threat.
Are you looking for plant hire west in London? Get in touch today via our website.