There are many instances where people will make their way into a work site after hours, such as theft, vandalism, curiosity, or even accidental entry. No matter what the intention of the people entering, it is important to have a secure workplace, especially after hours. Having a plan in place and written procedures for worksite securement is essential. 

Estimates suggest that stolen equipment and supplies from Canadian construction job sites cost nearly half a billion dollars annually. 

Keep your Worksite Secure 

General Work Area 

Ensure adequate fencing around the entire work site. Depending on the area, crime rate, and potential property loss, evaluate the possibility of investing in a site-wide security system or outside agency to provide site security. Keep valuable items out of plain sight from the viewpoint of the public. Pay attention to where scrap metal piles may be onsite. Scrap metal often brings thieves into a work site. 

Buildings 

Always lock installations. Keep valuables out of sight within the buildings. If someone looks through a window and sees nothing worth taking, it will deter them from entering. Use alarms, floodlights, and cameras when possible. While the upfront cost seems expensive, a good security system can prevent costly break-ins. 

 Heavy Equipment 

People often break into a construction site and run equipment for the thrill of it or to create problems for the company. This can cause damage to the site and be dangerous for the people who break in. It is essential to protect many situations where heavy equipment is stolen.  

Some steps to take: 

• Do not leave equipment in the open when possible. Lock equipment in a shop or at least in a fenced-in area.
• Remove the key from the equipment and lock the doors. Do not rely on the fence around the site to keep people out.
• Most pieces of equipment have a master switch. At the end of your shift, shut the master switch off. If someone is not familiar with that piece of equipment, they will not be able to turn it on.

All excavations should be 100% barricaded or fenced in at the end of the day. This protects the public or any employees who enter the area from driving or falling into the excavation. Do not rely on a perimeter fence to protect individuals from harm due to an exposed hole within the site’s boundaries.  

Inventory Tools and Equipment 

Permanently identify and inventory tools and equipment. It should be easy to identify your company’s belongings. Otherwise, use welders or etching tools to permanently affix the company name on everything, from equipment to vehicles. Don’t forget to mark attachments and removable parts separately. This helps identifying and reclaiming stolen property. Finally, make sure you have a master list of everything onsite, so missing equipment and tools can be identified more quickly, which will facilitate equipment recovery. 

Toolbox Locks 

Gang boxes should have enclosed and recessed locking points and locks that can’t be drilled open. Wheels on gang boxes should be removed and locked down once they’ve been set onsite. Workers should bring all equipment back to the shop whenever possible to avoid bringing tools home or leaving them in a vehicle where they are more vulnerable. 

Security locks and fences 

Perimeter fences will help keep out any unwanted intruders. Placing fences and locks around essential tools, equipment, and supplies gives a second level of protection. This will allow for an extra barrier between your most valuable unattended assets on the site. Electronic locks with a key card or code access may improve your security further. 

Warning Signs 

When signs on a job site express the possible penalties of unauthorized access, it can make would-be intruders think twice. Clear, concise signs increase construction site security by reminding intruders of the criminal nature of entering and damaging or stealing the property. 

Lighting 

Most construction site theft happens in the dark, as thieves find comfort in the shadows. It is no wonder that construction site security suffers when these large outdoor targets have inadequate lighting. Having sufficient lighting for your job site will reduce areas of comfort for thieves. If you employ motion-sensor lighting, startling the thieves with the light when they move too close to your site can often have a more significant impact. 

Alarms  

Motion sensors can set off alarms with audible sirens and flashing lights. These alone can stop an intruder in their tracks. Depending on your job site, silent alarms might be the best option for your construction site security. These can alert and dispatch authorities to your site to follow up on the breach. Many alarms will also alert the site manager or supervisor, so they can also deal with the intrusion. 

Video Surveillance 

You have many options within video surveillance, so it is essential to customize your system to meet your needs. Having video cameras visible may be a deterrent for thieves.  

If you have questions or concerns about keeping your worksite secure, please contact our team today to discuss.