The open access to construction sites exposes the availability of expensive equipment and supplies, often belonging to multiple contractors, which have high value in the resale market. This creates an environment for theft and damage that can destroy a company financially and discredit their reputation. Having professional construction site security measures in place protects valuable assets and diminishes the opportunity for criminal activity.
Criminal actions can occur from inside as well as outside; having systems in place to physically and visually monitor the activities and resources of a jobsite can eliminate both methods. Gaps in security can allow for internal theft of tools, oil and gas, and materials, costing time and money directly, and indirectly when contractors are also affected. Events that create safety hazards can bankrupt a business through liability damages. Employees, contractors, and even trespassers create a liability hazard on a jobsite.
A comprehensive risk analysis will consider a variety of factors and outline the most efficient security protocol for your business.
Top Benefits of Construction Site Security
The loss of resources on a jobsite are costly not only in replacement value, but also the inability to continue working in the absence of equipment and supplies. The disruption caused by this loss affects each trade working on site. Unsecured machinery, tools, and supplies are vulnerable to theft. Properly situated security cameras are beneficial if they are being monitored by professionals trained to recognize and respond to criminal activity. Staffing a construction site with trained security professionals elevates the level of protection and deterrence.
Safety While On The Site
Vandalism to equipment or structures may lead to safety hazards. Basic security includes proper lighting, security fencing, warning signs, and locked entrances and exits.
Through physical presence and the use of monitoring technology, security officers onsite are able to establish a secure location and recognize and respond to prohibited activity. Placement of trained security professionals provides assurance that materials, equipment, and personnel are being properly safeguarded. The use of security professionals during working hours, to monitor all deliveries and visitors, creates an active control system for daily activity and establishes a record of events should any event or person be suspected of criminal action.
Protecting Equipment & Tools
Theft of tools and equipment typically occurs in a single event which is readily recognized. A majority of thefts involve materials occurring over an extended period of time. A small steady stream of disappearing, valuable goods becomes a costly loss in terms of money and time. A monitored record of personnel with access to aftermarket valuables such as oil and gas, wiring, and small mechanical devices prevents opportunity and creates tracking for evidential purposes.
Security personnel are able to supervise inventory control systems including a “check-out/check-in” system to record the release and return of equipment and supplies, and ensuring that items are coded for proper identification. Having equipment and tools individually coded allows for tracking on a daily basis and for proper identification should recovery from a theft be necessary.
All keys to vehicles and machinery should be removed from equipment daily, locked when not in use, and documented in a check in/out system. All mechanical equipment should be locked and parked together, preferably in a contained area, when not in use. Creating a supervised security system for equipment and tools provides not only elevated inventory control for internal measures, but eliminates opportunity for loss due to theft and vandalism from outside sources, instilling confidence in contractors onsite.
Protection Against Potential Threats
Upon discovery, stolen supplies and equipment are an immediately recognizable loss and inconvenience. A less obvious and yet potentially devastating loss on a jobsite is the danger created by vandalism and theft. Items that are destructively removed, leaving exposed wiring, damaged equipment, or compromised weight bearing elements, pose a dangerous threat to an unsuspecting employee or contractor, resulting in injury or death.
Legally, a construction company may face loss and liability responsibility to trespassers injured on site. Having in place, warning signs, high and durable fencing, well distributed lighting, surveillance cameras, and onsite security professionals, limits the ability for criminal and negligent activity that creates potential hazards and loss.
Security Essentials
There are several factors to consider which will determine the level and strength of security required. Depending on the size of the jobsite, the hours of activity, and the number of entrances and exits, your requirements will vary in the number of officers, cameras, and signage. The use of CCTV monitoring, done on site or remotely, can also be selected by the applicable features they offer. In addition to recorded surveillance systems providing evidence in the event of a crime, having a security professional monitoring the activity can prevent criminal activity before it occurs.
Choosing between the use of armed or unarmed physical security placement on site is also determined by these specific requirements. Insurance and bonding requirements and regulations may also be determining factors.
Contact The Construction Site Security Professionals
Security measures such as surveillance systems, business alarm monitoring, onsite security professionals and similar security solutions are several means for ensuring the physical and financial safety of your business. Contact the experts at American Protection Group for a comprehensive risk analysis to secure your jobsite.