Securing a Construction Site Toolbox Talk

Securing a Construction Site Safety Talk

For as long as construction sites have existed, there has been a need to effectively secure them. Unauthorized persons may enter a construction site for a variety of reasons, including:

• Curiosity

• Theft

• Vandalism

• Joy rides

These activities frequently lead to negative consequences like lost revenue, delays, injuries, and even fatal accidents.

Construction and excavation sites are dangerous places even for trained and experienced workers. The risks increase for people who are unaware of and uneducated on the potential dangers. Therefore, securing your job site is a safety priority.

How can I secure my construction site?

The nature of a construction work and the size of equipment and volume of materials used can make securing the jobsite extremely challenging.

Here are some best practices.

More lighting

No one wants to be seen committing an illegal act. Where possible, keep your construction sites well lit in all areas at all times, even after the workday ends.

If the jobsite is well lit, the impression will be that the site is being watched, and there is the possibility that workers or security may be present.

Obvious security camera surveillance

With today's technology, construction companies can use real-time camera feeds to view and monitor the jobsite remotely. It's common to see cameras mounted in visible places where new houses or commercial structures are are being built for 24/7 observation.

Construction cameras can be temporarily mounted to:

• Utility poles

• Fencing

• Construction site entrances

Many companies that supply cameras for site surveillance provide remote monitoring service as well, so you can enjoy the benefits of added security without the drawbacks of hiring an in-house security team.

With remote monitoring unauthorized activity onsite can be identified and responded to quickly.

Fencing and no trespassing signs

Fencing and safety signage are standard assets on most construction and excavation sites. Barriers to entry and cautionary signs can effectively communicate that the site is not open to the public.

While fencing may or may not be practical, depending on the location or duration of a project, signage should always be prominently placed onsite, especially near entrances or areas that are more easily accessible. Should unauthorized activity occur, the parties responsible for securing the construction or excavation site can demonstrate that the culprit ignored obvious signs or warnings.

Hide, take, and lock

Hand tools and hand power tools, power augers, compressors, spray rigs, power washers, mixers, and other portable items are easy to steal from the construction site. When you can, remove these items from the site when not in use. Alternatively, you can store them securely within a locked shed or toolbox, or in a location that is not easily visible.

Securing heavy equipment

Excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, tractors, and other pieces of heavy equipment are a huge temptation for joy riders because they are often left unattended. However, it is not as easy to hide and secure heavy equipment compared to smaller tools.

Keep it from starting

Locks and keys have been a core part of motorized equipment security for decades. Frequent rekeying and practicing ignition key security will help prevent unauthorized use.

Advances in ignition technology have also added benefits such as:

• No start settings

• Combination ignition keys

• Remote GPS monitoring

Take advantage of every security option available to prevent unauthorized use of heavy equipment.

Secure positioning on the construction site

A common practice for securing heavier valuables that are often stolen (like generators for example) is to store them out of reach when they are not in use.

Have you noticed a small trailer on the end of a crane line, just sitting in mid-air? That small trailer is likely a power generator with a trailer hitch on it, that would be easy to steal when left unattended.

Power tools that are designed to be portable have an increased likelihood of being stolen. Smart construction workers put these valuable heavy tools out of reach when they are not being used.

Other smaller pieces of power equipment like skid steers and bobcats can be wedged or blocked into positions where they are impossible to move without moving other vehicles as well.

Timely delivery of materials and appliances

The longer materials are on the job site the more time someone has to take them. When it is practical, make construction site deliveries timely, so that materials are utilized as soon as they arrive and don’t sit in stacks or piles for weeks. Any materials that can be scrapped or recycled are prime targets for thieves.

If the appliances ship to you in containers or crates, leave them in their crates until they can be installed and, if possible, secure them in containers. The more barriers to access there are oniste, the more secure these items will be.

Look at construction site security in layers

Theft and vandalism cost the construction industry billions of dollars each year. In fact, construction site security has seen an increase in companies focusing on this niche in recent years.

Security on jobsites requires a multi-layered approach, and every construction site should incorporate as many of the options we have covered as possible. These options can be divided into 2 basic categories; physical barriers and technology barriers.

Physical barriers include:

• Fences

• Lights

• Containers

• Timely delivery of materials

Technology barriers include:

• Cameras

• GPS monitoring

• No start settings

Many of the physical security barriers offer short term security, while some of the technology barriers offer a more long term approach.