Crime on construction sites, including theft, is on the rise across the nation including Maryland. These issues don’t just slow down production. They can also lead to unexpected costs that eat into your profits and affect your bottom line. If you don’t already have a construction site security plan, now is the time to make one. The more you prepare, the less like you are to deal with security challenges. Furthermore, if something goes wrong, you’ll know how to handle it to minimize the adverse effects and keep your team on track.
You’re in the right place if you need help putting together a construction site security plan. Follow these steps to create your customized plan today.
Types of Construction Site Security Threats
A lot can go wrong on the average construction site in Maryland. Here are some of the biggest threats all managers should be aware of:
Theft
As a construction manager, you know your equipment’s costs, from tools to heavy machinery to lumber. Thieves also know how much these items cost — and how much money they can get if they steal them from your job site and resell them. Construction Site Thefts
It doesn’t matter how small or unassuming your construction site may seem. If you don’t take the time to secure it properly, you could end up losing thousands or even millions of dollars to theft.
Vandalism
Not everyone who breaks into a construction site is looking to steal equipment or materials. Some people are more interested in vandalism, including spray painting, damaging items, etc.
To some, vandalism might seem pretty harmless. However, let’s say trespassers break equipment or spraypaint the lumber you’re using to construct a building.
You’ll have to pay to replace the damaged items if these issues happen. That means you’re spending extra money and taking a hit because someone felt like trespassing on your site.
Arson
Construction sites are hotbeds (no pun intended) of fire hazards. From an abundance of wood and chemicals to the fact that they’re often unmonitored for hours at a time, it’s easy for fires to start and spread in the areas. That’s why arsonists are often drawn to them.
If you don’t properly secure your construction site, you could find yourself dealing with severe fire damage.
Not only will a fire slow your team down and cause production delays, but it’ll also cause a lot of expensive damage that you might have to pay to repair (especially if you don’t have insurance).
Flooding and Water Damage
On the opposite end of the spectrum, water can also cause severe damage on construction sites. From an accidental leak to someone breaking in and intentionally turning on a water source, if uncontrolled water flow isn’t stopped immediately, you can end up with thousands or millions of dollars of destruction on your hands.
Why Do You Need a Construction Site Security Plan?
Some construction managers might wonder why they need a clearly defined security plan for the job site. After all, they’ve made it this far without having a formal plan. Why should they create one now? security camera systems for construction sites
If you’re on the fence about taking time to make such a plan, consider these benefits:
Identify Weak Points
Maybe you’ve put off developing a security plan because you think you’ve got construction site security figured out. Without a plan, you might be missing vulnerable points that increase your risk of experiencing theft, vandalism, arson, and other security issues.
Part of creating a security plan is carefully evaluating your construction site and finding the weakest links in the chain. You need to know where you’re falling short on your security protocols so you can make changes before it’s too late.
Be Proactive
Speaking of making changes before it’s too late, establishing a construction site security plan allows you to be proactive. The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies to many situations, including construction site security. It’s easier to assess your site, identify potential hazards, and correct them than it is to wait until a security breach occurs and then react.
Proactivity — especially regarding site security — saves you a lot of time and allows you to resolve issues much faster.
Save Money
In addition to saving you time, being proactive and developing a construction site security plan will also save you money.
Consider how much money you’ll spend replacing broken or damaged equipment or buying new materials. Consider the cost of shutting your site down while you recover from a fire or flood.
Now, compare those costs to the cost of creating a security plan and investing in security equipment like cameras. Which option is more expensive?
In almost all cases, it’s more expensive to recover from theft or vandalism than it is to prevent them from occurring.
Peace of Mind
You can’t put a price on peace of mind. When you run a construction site, you have a lot on your plate every day without also worrying about security. If you implement a security plan now, you can rest easy knowing you’ve already anticipated potential issues and established a protocol for handling them. You can also feel confident that key members of your team know about the protocol and can help you carry it out if needed.
What to Include in Your Construction Site Security Plan
Now that you know more about the importance of a construction site security plan, let’s get into the process of developing one. Below are some essential steps you should take to create an all-encompassing and effective security protocol for yourself and your team:
Start with an Assessment
The best security protocol starts with a thorough assessment. Work with a security expert and ask them to conduct a walk-through of your construction site. Getting a set of objective eyes on the site will help you spot potential vulnerabilities and identify the most critical areas to focus on when developing your plan.
The person helping with the assessment can also offer suggestions to help you increase security. For example, they can tell you the best places to install cameras or show you areas where you should install physical barriers.
Connect with Local Law Enforcement
It’s also helpful to reach out to a local law enforcement officer and ask them about crime and security issues in the area. Do they experience a lot of reports of theft or vandalism? Use this information to tailor your security plan to the specific location. construction site security guard
Understand Specific Risk Mitigation Measures
Different security issues require different risk mitigation strategies. Here are some of the most beneficial tactics to be aware of when creating your security plan:
- Theft: Perimeter fencing, anti-climb barrier walls, security cameras (ideally with professional monitoring), motion-activated lights, GPS devices for tools and equipment, vehicle tracking devices, time-lapse photography, lockable boxes and storage containers, partnership with trained security personnel
- Vandalism: Entrance barriers and gates, security cameras (ideally with professional monitoring), motion-activated lights, time-lapse photography, warning signs (such as “No Trespassing — Violators Will Be Prosecuted”), partnership with trained security personnel
- Arson: Prohibiting storage of flammable materials near barrier walls, fire detection systems, security cameras (ideally with professional monitoring), and partnership with trained security personnel
- Water Damage: Regular monitoring for water release, partnership with trained security personnel, partnership with security personnel with training on water shut-off procedures
Include a visitor control protocol in your security plan, too. Consider using badges or tags for workers to scan when they enter or exit the site. If someone is visiting, issue a temporary pass or arrange for someone to escort them at all times.
Invest in and Install Appropriate Equipment
Once you’ve identified the most significant security risks your construction site faces, it’s time to invest in and install equipment to help you protect it.
Surveillance cameras are among the most useful and versatile security devices you can purchase for your site. They offer round-the-clock monitoring and allow you to alert the authorities right away if something goes wrong. remote construction site security cameras
You should also consider purchasing and installing motion-activated lights, barrier fences, and fire-detection equipment.
Make sure all key players on your team are aware of and have a copy of the security plan. For it to be effective, everyone must be on the same page and know how to proceed if a safety or security issue occurs (especially when you’re not around).
Revisit and Revise as Needed
Finally, remember that your security plan must evolve with your company and the specific sites where you’re working. Revisit and revise it regularly to ensure it remains as effective as possible.
Let Us Help You Secure Your Construction Site!
Are you feeling more confident in your ability to create and implement a construction site security plan? Follow the guidelines mentioned above, and you’ll have no trouble putting together a plan that keeps your site safe and your equipment secure.
If you need to add security cameras to your construction site, we can help at Mobile Video Guard. We offer high-performing cameras that are easy to install and affordable.
Get in touch today for more information or a free quote.
