Improving construction site security
As a construction project manager, you are responsible for the planning and assessing the risks for your construction project. In planning, this includes all materials such as tools, machinery and anything that you might need during the process. The other thing you have to consider is securing those items after hours. Since Covid-19, prices for construction items have increased making it a prime target for theft. Consider some of these numbers when it comes to construction theft.
- The Department of Energy indicated that over $1 billion dollars of copper are stolen each year, most of which are on construction sites.
- Lumber is easy to steal and resell. With lumber shortages during Covid-19, construction sites are seeing a loss of lumber on sites.
- Top equipment stolen according to an annual theft report include: mowers, tractors, loaders, excavators and forklifts, just to name a few.
Senior new home builders NSW has stated that when thinking about the construction site and keeping it secure, you have to think about the potential for:
- Theft in general – How easy is it form them to walk off with expensive tools?
- Arson and vandalism – Destruction of property
- Trespassers – This can be anyone, maybe even kids, getting onto the site and playing on equipment or structures. What are the risks to them for injury? While they are trespassing, you can still be liable for their injuries.
What do all these have in common in order for them to happen? It’s security.
How easy is it for anyone to access the construction site after hours? Security is a very important and sometimes overlooked item. We have seen many construction sites that are wide open with no dedicated security in place.
An option to consider is remote perimeter security or a virtual guard. You could have a dedicated security guard on site but it can become costly. And too, they can’t be in all places at once. If you use remote security, there are many advantages to it.
- Cameras placed strategically around the area allows for a full view of the entire area.
- Live personalized audio warnings can be sounded when someone is detected on the property which in return can deter the criminal.
- The use of AI software along with a real person verifying threats and taking the next steps.
- High-definition footage that is recorded at all times so that you can use it if needed.
- Detailed incident reports so you know exactly what has been happening and when.
Just tightening up the security on your job site can greatly reduce the loss of property and reduce after hours injuries from unwelcome visitors.
If you want to learn more about our virtual guard, give us a call at (405) 732-9000 or contact us online.