Those who are employed in the construction industry are all too familiar with the daunting task of safeguarding their sites from criminal activity. Construction sites, with their abundance of valuable equipment and building materials, have become a prime and lucrative target for criminals and trespassers, resulting in an estimated annual loss of £800 million due to construction theft.
If you are a part of the construction industry, it is highly likely that you have already encountered construction theft firsthand. Studies indicate that an alarming 92% of construction workers have experienced theft, with 21% reporting that it is a weekly occurrence at their sites. These insights act as a sobering impression of the magnitude of the issue and may be a source of great concern for site managers and project leaders, particularly given the financial and reputational repercussions of theft and vandalism.
This is precisely why dependable construction security is of utmost importance. Implementing the appropriate security measures can serve as a powerful deterrent, discouraging criminals from targeting your site and helping to protect your personnel, equipment, and materials from the devastating effects of crime, theft, and vandalism. Whether you are establishing your construction security from the ground up or seeking to enhance your existing security measures, there are 10 key steps you can take to significantly improve your construction site security.
Start with a Risk Assessment
For those in the construction industry, conducting risk assessments is likely a familiar practice. However, when it comes to security provision, it is highly recommended to engage the security guarding services of a dedicated security provider. By partnering with a professional security company, you can have confidence that an exhaustive gamble evaluation will be done on your construction site.
This thorough evaluation will be instrumental in identifying any vulnerable areas that could potentially leave your construction site exposed to intruders. Once these weaknesses have been pinpointed, you can proceed to implement additional measures across these susceptible zones, thereby reinforcing your site security and ensuring that these vulnerabilities can no longer jeopardize the safety and integrity of your construction site.
Hire Security Guards
Notwithstanding the numerous advances in security technology, employing construction security guards remains one of the most effective methods for deterring criminals from targeting your site. In most cases, criminals and intruders are opportunistic, selecting easy targets where there is minimal risk of being apprehended.
The presence of a physical security force on your site immediately increases the level of risk for criminals, signifying a high probability of their being caught in the act. Security guards can be sent whenever, both during the day and night, guaranteeing that there is always someone readily available to protect your site from criminal activity. It is crucial to ensure that your selected security guards possess an SIA licence, as this is not only a legal requirement but also an indication of quality and professionalism in the security industry.
Consider Mobile Security
Construction sites often span vast, open areas with numerous potential hiding spots for intruders. Moreover, these sites can be geographically dispersed or present hazards that make monitoring on foot a challenge. If your construction site fits this description, it may be prudent to consider implementing a mobile security solution.
In this approach, SIA licensed security guards will patrol your construction site, either by foot or utilizing a security vehicle. This comprehensive method ensures that every corner of your construction site is meticulously guarded, minimizing the risk of intruders evading detection before they have the opportunity to pilfer construction materials or inflict damage through acts of vandalism.
Install CCTV
Construction sites are often most susceptible to criminal activity when they are left unattended. By installing CCTV surveillance on your construction site, you can ensure that there is always an additional layer of monitoring in place. When coupled with round-the-clock CCTV monitoring, this technology not only provides crucial evidence in the aftermath of an incident but can also be instrumental in facilitating intervention during ongoing criminal activities.
For construction sites, transitory CCTV solutions can be implemented, guaranteeing that the system offers protection throughout the duration of the project while allowing for easy removal once they are no longer required. Furthermore, certain CCTV cameras come equipped with a time-lapse function, enabling you to document the progress of your construction project as it unfolds.
Fence off Perimeters
When it comes to any construction site, keeping intruders and criminals at bay is of paramount importance. This is where security fencing plays a crucial role, enabling you to secure the perimeter of your construction site. Fencing serves as an effective means of preventing unapproved individuals from gaining access to your site, as well as protecting your equipment and materials.
There is a wide array of security fencing options available, including specialized solutions tailored specifically for construction sites, such as temporary fencing and noise-reducing barriers. Temporary fencing is particularly advantageous, as it can be easily deployed and adjusted as your project extends, ensuring that your site always has the necessary level of protection at all times.
Control Access
Construction sites are typically bustling environments with a consistent flow of people entering and exiting the premises. While preventing unauthorized access is crucial for maintaining site security, it is equally important to ensure that authorized individuals, such as site workers and external parties like delivery drivers, can enter and exit the site as needed.
However, distinguishing between authorized and unauthorized visitors can be a challenge. This is where access control solutions prove invaluable in maintaining site security. Whether you choose a high-tech or a manned option, an access control system will guarantee that your workers can easily enter the site while effectively barring intruders from gaining access.
Install Lights
During the night, construction sites become particularly susceptible to criminal activities due to the quiet and dark environment, which presents ample opportunities for intruders to illegally gain access and steal equipment and materials. Implementing lighting solutions ensures that the site remains well-illuminated at all times, even during the late hours of the night and early morning. This not only serves as a deterrent to potential criminals but also helps prevent accidents that may occur in dim or dark conditions.
Temporary lighting solutions are particularly well-suited for construction sites, as they can be easily installed and removed as needed. Additionally, motion-sensor lights could be considered as a viable option. These lights are triggered by movement, which can aid any on-site security personnel in detecting unauthorized individuals attempting to trespass on the premises.
Lock Up Equipment or Material
Construction equipment and building materials are highly lucrative items, making them a prime target for thieves. To avoid your site from becoming a target for criminals, it is crucial to securely lock away any equipment or materials before leaving the site at night. Storage containers or temporary sheds can be easily deployed on the construction site, providing a secure space to store handheld tools and building materials under lock and key.
This proactive measure will significantly reduce the desirability of your site for potential thieves, as it creates an additional barrier between your valuable assets and those with malicious intentions. Furthermore, you can complement this security measure by implementing additional protective measures such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, motion-sensor lights, or employing security guards to add a more layer of protection for your equipment.
Consider Dog Handlers
If you are constructing in an area that is notorious for high levels of theft or break-ins, you may want to consider incorporating a furry addition to your security team – security dogs. When paired with experienced handlers, who are often licensed guards themselves, dog teams present a formidable security presence.
Equipped with heightened senses and tracking capabilities, security dogs can detect an intruder from up to 300 meters away, as well as locate intruders who may be hiding on your construction site. The presence of security dogs also often prevents situations from escalating into violence, as criminals are far less likely to attempt confronting your security guards when accompanied by larger security dogs.
Hire Welfare Units
Although our last suggestion is more focused on health and safety rather than security, hiring welfare units is nevertheless essential for ensuring the well-being and comfort of your staff. However, these units can also serve a dual purpose by providing a secure space to lock away smaller equipment and paperwork during the night.
By law, all construction projects must provide adequate sanitary facilities, washing stations, drinking water, changing rooms, lockers, and rest areas. Welfare units streamline compliance with these regulations, offering a comprehensive solution that caters to all the necessary amenities for your site and employees in a single, convenient, and portable unit.
Looking for a Reliable Construction Security Provider?
If you’re in the market for a new security provider, ZAM FM Ltd should be your top choice. We offer a extensive range of guarding services to ensure the complete protection of your construction site, allowing you to have peace of mind knowing that your security is in the hands of professionals. Simply reach out our team today or request a quick quote online to get started.
Any Project, Anywhere
At ZAM FM Ltd, we are capable of providing all their services to businesses throughout the United Kingdom. Regardless of whether you require construction security services in London or Leighton Buzzard, we can deliver the high level of security you are seeking.
A Wide Range of Services
Our extensive range of construction security services allows us to offer a comprehensive and tailored construction security package. Do not risk becoming a victim of crime. Choose ZAM FM Ltd as your dedicated construction security supplier today.
SIA Qualified Always
At ZAM FM Ltd, we have worked diligently to obtain all the necessary qualifications to both operate and excel in this industry. We ensure that all our guards are fully licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and can provide security officers with additional training in first aid and health and safety upon request.
ZAM FM Ltd is a leading cross-industry corporate services provider, offering professional and comprehensive construction security solutions, including security guards, mobile patrols, CCTV security, and security fencing and lighting.
To learn more about how ZAM FM Ltd can protect your business, contact us today.