Is Your Construction Site as Secure as it Should Be?

Make sure to identify all tools and equipment you’ll be using on site, making an inventory and tracking all items. Any employees’ items that will be brought on site separately should also be identified and labelled so you can make clear how much you actually have. It’s also a good idea to display your company logo and contact information on all the equipment to avoid items being taken accidentally.

Before any work begins it’s a good idea to plan for the security measures that should be taken to protect the assets you’ve identified. Having a clear plan in place will be able to help you consider the areas where more security may be needed ahead, and this may be able to help you optimise operations.

Properly securing your perimeter with fencing, or hoarding, is essential as this will stop unwarranted people gaining access into your site. It also maintains the privacy of your construction site so workers can complete the job undistracted. Metal hoarding is quick and easy to deploy and store and timber hoarding can allow for more complete privacy whilst safeguarding the public.

When no one is on site fencing should be locked if possible, along with any construction vehicles. Ensure that equipment is disabled and gas and oil caps are locked. This will prevent any hazards or accidents in addition to providing higher levels of security for the construction site. You could also consider using a key holding service, where you leave a spare key with a residential or commercial premise for use in case the primary key is lost or stolen.

A CCTV system is a necessary security feature for any construction site, as not only does it ensure maximum security and monitoring, but having cameras can also keep an eye on the health and safety on your site so that you can meet project regulations. Using a site security service provider, your site can be professionally monitored 24 hours a day, from a remote location. This will ensure that you have security in place when you are away from site and activity can be recorded for review at a later date. CCTV cameras are a key security device to deter criminals and additional signage can also be used to clearly point to their presence.

A thoroughly lighted construction site, with motion sensitive lighting, is an extremely effective deterrent for any criminal activity and increases health and safety, especially in more isolated areas.

Make sure that employees can easily report suspicious behaviour or activities and feel comfortable to do so. Encouraging employees early on and alerting them to the prosecution policies for criminal activities, will make sure that everyone is clear as to your expectations and security measures to protect your assets.

There should ideally be a single access point into your construction site so you can more easily manage who is entering. Using ‘No Trespassing’ signage in appropriate areas or places where higher security is needed will help to deter any thieves. To further protect your site and prevent injury to those working, you could install a control access system, giving you ultimate control over who is accessing the site. Employee parking should be located outside of the construction’s secure perimeter in a clearly marked area. Ask your neighbours for help: Solicit help from nearby residents or businesses. Share your building schedule with them and ask them to notify you and the police if they observe anything suspicious on your property.

You should inform your local authority of people who will be accessing your construction site after working hours. It’s also important to appoint a person who will liaise with the police and security providers, so you can be fully up to date with security and crime prevention policies.