Construction Site Theft – Causes, Prevention and Control

Construction sites are a dynamic and fast-paced working space, full of people and equipment. There are multiple dangers associated with construction, like worker safety, equipment malfunctioning, vandalism and trespassing, however, the most crucial of them all is construction site theft. This blog talks about why construction site security is necessary, what to look out for, and lays down a step-by-step process to prevent construction site theft.

Construction site theft and vandalism are serious problems that affect the construction industry in Canada. According to a report by Aviva, a leading insurance company, $46 million worth of equipment is stolen annually in Canada, with $15 to $20 million of those losses in Ontario alone. At the same time, only about 25% of the stolen equipment is ever recovered which means that what’s once gone is gone forever.

Some of the factors that contribute to the high rate of construction site theft and vandalism are:

The consequences of construction site theft and vandalism are not only financial, but also operational and reputational. They can cause delays, disruptions, and damages to the project, affecting the quality, safety, and efficiency of the work. They can also harm the relationship between the contractors, clients, and stakeholders, leading to loss of trust, confidence, and satisfaction.

Therefore, it is important for construction site owners and contractors to take proactive steps to prevent and deter theft and vandalism on their sites.

Educating and training the workers and subcontractors on the security policies and procedures, and encouraging them to report any suspicious activities or incidents.

It all starts with the site/operations manager and the approach they take to construction site theft security. Having established the need for construction site security, there are a number of steps that can be taken to make sure that your site is as secure as possible.

Here are the steps to follow to secure your site from theft:

For the whole site, fencing and warning signs warning trespassers to stay out are a good start. In addition to the site perimeter, having all the equipment in one place and keeping a perimeter around it when the site is closed is also a good idea, since it makes for a single place to monitor and also helps to keep a log of all the equipment.

To prevent unauthorized access and theft of equipment, it is essential to have a system of locks, keys, and codes that are only given to authorized personnel. All equipment should be locked or immobilized when not in use, and keys should be stored in a secure location. Additionally, having a gate or barrier at the entrance of the site can help control the flow of vehicles and people, and prevent unwanted visitors.

Keeping track of the equipment and materials that are purchased, delivered, used, and stored on the construction site can help prevent losses and detect construction site thefts. A logbook or a digital system should be used to record the details of each item, such as the serial number, model, brand, color, size, and condition. The inventory should be checked and updated at the start and end of each day, and any discrepancies or damages should be reported and investigated.

Another way to monitor the equipment and prevent misuse or theft is to have a log of who uses what equipment, when, where, and for how long. This can help identify the responsible parties in case of any problems, and also deter unauthorized or improper use of the equipment. The log can be maintained manually or electronically, and should include the name of the user, the date and time of use, the location of the equipment, and the purpose of the use.

One of the main sources of theft and vandalism on construction sites is the insiders, such as workers, subcontractors, or suppliers, who have access to the site and the equipment. Therefore, it is important to manage the personnel access, and log the visitors and employees who enter and exit the site. This can be done by using badges, cards, biometrics, or other identification methods, and by having a sign-in and sign-out sheet or a digital system. This can help verify the identity and authorization of the personnel, and also create a record of their presence and activities on the site.

Another way to prevent theft and vandalism on construction sites is to ensure that the workers and subcontractors are trained and aware of the security policies and procedures, and the consequences of violating them. The training should cover the topics such as the importance of security, the roles and responsibilities of the personnel, the security measures and equipment, the reporting and response protocols, and the penalties and sanctions for non-compliance

A final step to secure the site from theft and vandalism is to install and use alarm and video monitoring systems that can detect and deter intruders, and provide evidence in case of any incidents. The alarm system should be connected to the local authorities and a security company, and should be activated when the site is closed or unattended. The video monitoring system should cover the entire site and the equipment, and should be able to record and store the footage for a sufficient period of time. The alarm and video monitoring systems should be checked and maintained regularly, and any malfunctions or tampering should be reported and fixed.

Construction site security is a pertinent issue in Canada. If you are looking to secure your construction site and make sure that your workers and equipment remains safe, contact Spotter Security for consultation. With over 20 years of experience in securing construction sites, Spotter Security knows where the dangers are and how to deal with them. Get the best security system for your site that includes access control, CCTV cameras and alarm systems coupled with live video and alarm monitoring.