Construction sites represent high-value opportunities for criminals, with vehicles, tools, and materials all being a temptation. So, making the provision of quality security an essential aspect of all building and renovation projects.
How to Keep a Construction Site Secure:
- The threats
- Losses and liabilities
- Construction site security essentials
The threats
Multiple threats need to be considered when determining how to keep a construction site secure.
– Damage and loss to property and materials: Physical loss is only one aspect, as unauthorized access often results in costly damage to buildings, equipment, and other assets.
– Disruption to schedules: Loss and damage impact costs, targets, and the ability to complete work to a schedule.
– Danger to life: Damage caused by thieves can result in dangers that can be life-threatening. Examples include ripping out electrical cables, damage to structures, actions such as arson, and fuel theft leaving spillages and a resulting fire hazard.
Losses and liabilities
In addition to physical losses, site owners and managers can be liable to further costs following a security breach. Injury to trespassers, even if they’ve entered a site unlawfully.
Construction site security essentials
Every site is unique. However, the provision for strong site security remains the same, whatever the individual challenges. These are:
- Carry out a thorough risk analysis
- Put necessary processes in place to mitigate identified risks
- Reducing the opportunity for unauthorized access
- Strict security regarding vehicles and equipment
Security needs to be determined before works commence with ongoing assessments. Carried out at regular intervals to ensure that the measures in place remain secure as the footprint of the construction site evolves.
Two Security Features :
- Physical security features
- Operational security features
Physical security features
Physical security features that are commonly used to secure sites include :
– Secure perimeter boundaries: These should be of sufficient height and of a type that prevents ease of scaling. All gates should be secure.
– Access control: Ensure minimal access points and a form of monitoring all access and egress to the site.
– Security lighting: Well-lit sites are less attractive to criminals than those that offer darkness as a shield.
– Lock away equipment and tools: All sites should have lockable storage areas to secure both tools and materials overnight and when not in use.
– Strict protocols regarding vehicles: Such as signing keys in and out, designated secure parking areas, immobilization devices, and trackers.
– Signs: Warning signs and out-of-hours contact information.
– CCTV and alarms: Providing alerts to unauthorized access and the ability to monitor from a remote location.
Operational security features
All site staff should be aware of and strictly adhere to various operational procedures. So, these might include:
– Strict key procedures: All site workers should be aware of their role in keeping equipment and materials locked away.
– Security marking of equipment: In the event of loss, a clearly marked kit is more easily identified. So, the more problematic to sell on.
– Using onsite security: Various site members should be tasked with the responsibilities of managing and operating. So, the technology that supports the site security (enabling of alarms, security lighting, etc.)
– Manned or remote security guards: The use of security professionals, such as on-site guards, visiting patrols, dog security, remote monitoring, etc.
The key aspect is that every site can only be fully secured by bespoke. So, security elements that factor in the unique characteristics of the location.
Security Services Is The Smart Thing To Do
You can’t put a price on the security of your business. Hiring a security guard is the smart thing to do, while security systems have a role to play; they can’t protect humans in emergencies.
If you’re looking for a commercial security company to protect your business then look no further than Lighthouse Security Service. The company is a licensed/insured private security agency that provides protection to many companies, hotels, and so on. Our security services are having in-depth training to handle various scenarios that can come up on the job.
Make your business protected by contacting Lighthouse Security today and get assistance with any of your business’s security needs.
