Construction job site security has become an essential matter for construction companies due to rising construction job site theft and vandalism. Efficient construction site supervision and safety measures are necessary, specifically during the last stages of a construction project, as there are valuable equipment and many expensive materials present on the site of construction.

The threats of security to the construction sites involve the loss of worker possessions and valuable machinery. It might also lead to injury if the trespassers happen to intrude a sensitive area or come in contact with a potentially hazardous material. Vandalism and construction job site theft do not only mean a loss of budget but also a long pause in the construction process. This results in the late and expensive deliverance of the project.

However, these consequences can be avoided through the help of appropriate and effective construction site security. For preventing construction theft – risk assessment of the construction site must include effective security measures for timely actions.

Question: How Common Are Construction Job Site Theft?

Answer: According to statistics, about $1 billion is lost every year due to construction site theft, with less than 20% of this stolen equipment is recovered. This makes construction companies suffer a financial burden, and project progress is slowed down on the job site.

Expensive machinery, valuable materials such as lumber, copper, and costly work tools attract many thieves because a construction site tends to be an easy target with these valuable items lying around.

Therefore, investing in security measures to prevent construction job site theft is a serious matter that should not be avoided. It will assist from financial burden but also improves your company’s reputation in the industry.

Question: What Are Some Common Construction Job Site Theft Forms?

Answer: There are many construction site theft forms. Some of the most common construction job site theft in RI and other states include the following:

1.   Handheld Equipment

It’s obvious that small handheld tools easily go missing, as stealing them doesn’t require a significant effort. A thief might be able to readily steal those tools in their jackets, pockets and escape from the construction job site before anyone notices.

2.   Big-Sized Equipment and Machinery

While small tools are easily and often stolen, heavy equipment theft is also common. Stealing bulldozers or tractors get a bit complicated, but anyone who really wants to drive away with them can devise techniques and get away with one quite ordinarily.

3. Lumber

Thieves realize the importance of woods. They’re expensive, which is why they’re common targets for construction job site theft. Sites easily become a culprit for wood theft.

4.   Expensive Metals

Metals like copper, is extremely valuable and worth a pretty penny; therefore, they might easily become the target if present at the job site. Thieves would steal the metals and resell them for profit. Metallic roofs also come with some monetary value, so it is vital to have security monitor such materials.

5.   Large Construction Appliances

Appliances might be left during the construction process, which can easily become a target for construction job site theft. You will need to monitor the residential construction site the most as losing the clients’ appliances will be the last thing a construction vendor would want.

Question: How To Take Care Of Appliances For Preventing Construction Theft?

Answer: Following are some tips that can help you prevent maximum appliance and equipment theft from your construction site:

A.   Keep the Appliances Out of Sight

One method of preventing construction thefts is store the appliances away after they have been used. It might be convenient to leave those items lying around for later use, but it is not more convenient than the assurance of them not being stolen, which will mess up the entire construction schedule.

B.   Lock the Heavy Appliances

Among the most effective strategies you can apply at the construction site is to lock all the heavy appliances. Some construction workers might forget or don’t bother to lock their trucks which results in a construction job site theft. It is essential to encourage them to always lock their vehicles to eliminate any potential thefts.

C.    Turn off the Appliance Circuit Breakers

A thief will not be able to steal a large appliance if they are not able to start it. That is why turning off the circuit breakers from the unit will make sure they won’t be getting any electric supply.

Question: How To Prevent Construction Job Site Theft?

Answer: Besides taking care of the appliances, there are other ways to prevent and reduce construction job site theft in RI:

a.    Hire Security Agents

One of the most efficient ways to prevent thefts is hiring experienced security personals, such as SecurityRI to watch over the construction site. These trained individuals will spend time making sure no one is able to intrude on the property with the only disadvantage of being a significant expense.

b.   Keep a Record

Keep a detailed record of the purchases of all equipment you have gathered for the construction site. The inventory might not be able to prevent thieves from stealing stuff, but it will help make the dishonest workers at the site think twice before stealing anything.

The records will also make it convenient to file a report to the police immediately, making it more difficult for the thief to sell the equipment later.

c.     Perform Double Checks

You might trust all your workers, but it won’t necessarily mean that all of them are deserving of your trust. Being able to perform a good background check (National BCI) on your employees will give you an in-depth insight into their previous citizen records enabling you to make better decisions when it comes to hiring.

d.   Eliminate Fuel Supply

One other effective way to keep the thieves away from your equipment is to eliminate all the fuel supply. You might be able to install a pump kill-switch present in the units, so it becomes difficult for them to fire them up when they try to take them away.

e.     Fence the Construction Site

Installing a solid fence around your construction job site will give an extra layer of security that will keep your machines and equipment safe. The fences will not keep everyone 100% away from the construction site, but they do act as a big obstacle, making it challenging for the thieves to steal any construction site supply.

Question: Why Is Installing A Video Surveillance Important For Preventing Construction Theft?

Answer: Preventative measures and ability to track someone in-case you receive a trespasser. Installing a video surveillance system is essential as these systems give a clear visual of the construction job site. Installing a security system notifies the security expertise whenever someone is trying to intrude on the construction site. This ensures that the property is well-monitored by professional and well-armed security guards who will take quick action when needed.

A video surveillance system designed for the location specifically will allow for consistent evaluation for the theft, accidents, and vandalism. A system with mobile video will give all advantages of an actual on-site security personnel and installing a security system, all in one strategic solution.

However, this is not the only way you can stop big construction site thefts. You will require a customized plan involving different techniques for security for a large site with physical security personals and or mobile patrols to ensure effective security conditions.

Question: How Can A Security Surveillance Expert Help You?

Answer: Having an ultimate answer to the security problems related to your construction job site can be a big challenge. This is because every construction site is different from another, depending on its size, importance, and security needs.

Combining the armed security and a video surveillance system will give you the best resources possible as your security company will be able to see most of the construction site using those video cameras. You can contact a mobile video surveillance system expert to design a customized and special security solution for preventing construction theft at your site. You can also hire one or more professional security agents who will be monitoring the site area in person. The system will protect you from possible construction site theft, accidents, and issues like vandalism.

However, you will need an experienced and reputable security company to ensure protection from all s of construction site thefts.

For a free and thorough security analysis for your construction site, please contact us here at SecurityRI: