Four Strategies for Effective Construction Site Security

Have you ever rolled up to your construction site to start your workday and discovered that equipment or material was stolen, broken, or vandalized overnight? 

You aren’t alone. Commercial construction equipment theft is a big business. Estimates from the National Equipment Register state that construction site crime costs up to $1,000,000,000 per year. Individual damages on a site can quickly exceed $15,000 if heavy equipment is involved. 

Vehicles, materials, and tools are tempting targets for thieves. Often, once workers go home, project site security is nearly non-existent. Fencing and locked storage provide some protection. But if you really want to secure your construction area, you’ll need to up your security game. 

There are cost-effective ways to minimize your risk and provide effective project site security. And when you have a secure site, your projects finish faster, your stress level decreases, and your bottom line looks better.

The consequences of poor construction site security

While missing tools and materials or vandalism is common, that’s not the only thing that happens.  Your stolen equipment can even be used for other crimes. Here are four important ways unlawful activity on your worksite can have a real cost to you. 

1. Delaying project completion

Missing materials and tools can cause construction delays. These could cause you to miss out on performance bonuses earned by getting the job done quickly. The opposite may happen, too, if there is a penalty for finishing behind schedule. 

Your workers on-site may end up standing around as well. Paying people their hourly wage while they can’t work is a direct hit to your project’s profitability.

2. Financial loss

Replacing and fixing equipment is a hassle at best. Likely, it’s going to cost you money, too. You may have to pay out of pocket to purchase replacements or incur increased insurance costs once you submit a claim. 

The cost of replacing equipment and materials takes away resources you could be investing in your company. This is just wasted money that could be put to better use.

3. Cost overruns

Who is responsible for cost overruns in your contracts? Chances are, it’s you. Who has to cover broken windows and stolen or damaged materials? Again, it’s probably you. This all adds up and can lead to cost overruns which cut into your bottom line.

4. Damage to your reputation

Putting your name on signage around your construction zone is a great way to advertise your business. But what message are you sending to potential clients when your site is in the news for a big-ticket item being stolen? What message does it send when your worksites are tagged with graffiti before the job is completed?

A safe, clean, and secure construction project enhances your brand. Who would you rather hire? The company with vandalism and graffiti all over their project, or the one that looks neat, tidy, and efficient?

Of course, each location is different and will have unique challenges. That’s why it’s important to fully understand the protection requirements for your projects.

Assessing construction security needs and risks

Some challenges on your construction site are going to be obvious. Large, open areas with many points of entry are difficult to secure. Shadows and blind spots make it easy for people to creep around the property without being seen. 

Remedies for the obvious issues might be simple. But to fully secure a property, you should consult a professional security company. They will conduct a walk-through of the site with you and identify security risks. 

Consider asking a couple of companies for a walkthrough and compare their recommendations. This will also help you decide which one you are the most comfortable hiring. 

You will find four basic strategies that can be employed.

Making your construction site more secure

There are strategies that you can use to create a more secure environment at your construction site. Just keep in mind that the best results come from using a combination of security tactics. 

1. Effective perimeter security is your first line of defense

Your site should be completely fenced off, with entry restricted to a few gates. When the construction area is unattended, the gates should be locked. Periodic inspection of your fence will identify gaps and holes that may have been made by natural causes or people trying to gain entry. 

Keep your project area well-lit at night, too. Corners and obstructions create shadows, so consider them as you set up your fencing. A well-lit site with few places to hide will make your site less attractive to unwanted visitors.

2. Use remote camera systems

Visible cameras are a great deterrent. But they need to be monitored to be effective. This can be done on or off-site, depending on the protection service you work with. When the person watching the feed sees something suspicious, they can react. 

Unattended feeds are only useful if the image helps identify or prosecute an offender. They will not stop criminals or help you quickly react to illegal activity at your site

3. Hire on-site security  

Having a person (or people) present during off hours is one of the best ways to protect your property. Construction site security guards can develop a routine that covers dark spots, the perimeter, and equipment. They can also check the locks where valuable materials and tools are stored. 

You can even task them with monitoring video cameras. This is the best of both worlds, as the cameras can watch a much larger area than any person. On-site security can alert authorities or intervene in real time if they spot a crime in progress. They also make trespassing less of an issue.

4. Security Patrols

A way to gain the benefits of on-site personnel, while reducing some of your costs, is to hire a security patrol. While this won’t provide a continuous presence, the patrol will arrive at random times. They can also enter the site to have a look around on foot and check the perimeter. 

You may even be able to share the costs of a patrol between your construction sites or with others. A patrol can visit multiple locations, so ask if there is an opportunity to share costs. 

The key is to couple the right security strategy with the right security company. That’s the best way to reduce your risks. 

Get the most of your construction site security

Worksite security is a necessary cost. It is a proactive way to protect your time, materials, and company name. It reduces the worry and stress of wondering if your site is ok. 

But how do you know you’re working with the right security partner? 

One of the best ways to ensure you find the right partner is to spend time with them. Talk to them in person. Have them come out and do the walkthrough with you. Ask a lot of questions based on any experiences you have had, good or bad. 

Ask about additional or specialized training that the company offers its security personnel. Possessing a security guard license is a minimum requirement! A strong company provides advanced training to strengthen its people in the field. 

If you have a positive history with a security company, consider exploring a long-term relationship with them. They may develop a cost-effective retainer if you have regular work for them. This will make costs predictable and spread them out over several projects. 

At KT Protection Services, our leadership has over 60 years of combined experience. Securing Hawaii’s construction sites is something we do on a regular basis. 

To find out how we can help you, check our construction site security information.