Effective Strategies to Help Prevent Theft on Your Construction Site

Contractors rely heavily on their tools and equipment to deliver successful projects and keep their customers happy. That's why it is essential to ensure this equipment remains safe and accessible.

When theft occurs, it puts companies in a tough spot, especially when the stolen equipment can't be quickly replaced. Unfortunately, equipment theft is a persistent issue in the United States, prompting many businesses to re-evaluate and strengthen their security measures. For risk managers, this means focusing on preventative strategies tailored to meet the specific needs of their company.

Ten Effective Ways to Help Prevent Theft on Construction Sites

In today’s world, there are many options to consider when designing a theft prevention program. These range from traditional measures like perimeter security (fencing, lighting, etc.) to modern electronic and internet-based security systems.

Selecting the right mix of components depends on certain aspects of the operation, such as the type of equipment, location of the site, and duration of the storage (indefinitely for storage yards).

The first step is to know what is available. Below are some potential improvements:

Fencing/Walls

Many thefts occur simply because equipment is left in the open, making it easily targeted. Enclosing the perimeter is a reliable first step to securing a construction site or storage yard. Installing a physical obstacle to potential theft is a significant measure, and it also decreases visibility, reducing the chances would-be thieves are aware of the potential target in the first place.

Temporary portable fencing can be transported between job sites.

For storage yard owners, permanent fencing can be installed, or for more protection, masonry walls can be erected.

Access Control

Along with fencing or walls, it is also necessary to decide how the site will be accessed. This applies to both the type of gate and the personnel involved.

If the gate is manual, it must be secured with a padlock or similar anti-theft device, and procedures must be implemented to help ensure that designated employees are responsible for locking the gate when the site is closed.

If the gate is automatic, it must be determined who will be given access privileges, and those employees must be trained on how to properly use the system.

Lighting/Visibility

Proper lighting is a major deterrent that can prevent job sites and storage yards from being targeted. Theft often occurs after hours when criminals can use the cover of night to aid their criminal activities. Unfortunately, open construction sites are often poorly lit because these basic measures have been avoided to save money.

On storage sites with surveillance, whether guards or video cameras, proper lighting also aids in monitoring. 

Anti-Theft Devices

Install anti-theft devices on individual pieces of equipment. If budgets are limited, consider installing them on at least the most valuable equipment. There are several options available:

• Chains and Padlocks, Steering Wheel Locks, etc.: Remember to designate which employees have the keys or codes, guidelines for keeping them secure, and procedures for changing them at regular intervals. 
• Kill switches and Electronic Immobilizers: These devices help prevent thieves from being able to hot-wire vehicles or equipment. 
• Alarms: These can either be local, emitting a loud noise onsite, or they may be connected to a central station providing real-time notification to a security company or directly to the business owner.
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags: These are small tags that use radio waves for short-range tracking, meaning they are ideal for monitoring movement within a storage site. This can be useful on large sites with many employees to help prevent internal theft. For long-range tracking, GPS would be a stronger option, which will be discussed further below.

Equipment Identification Numbers

Assign a unique ID number to each piece of equipment, and then clearly stamp each vehicle with its assigned ID number, ensuring detailed records are kept. This will not only serve as a deterrent to thieves who recognize that the equipment is cataloged, but it can also aid in recovery in the event of a theft.

Guards

Some job sites or storage yards may demand a physical human presence, perhaps due to location in a high-crime area and/or having high equipment values. When choosing this option, there are several factors to consider.

Security guards can be employed or hired through a vendor. They can also be armed or unarmed, stationary or roaming. When a security firm is hired, it is important to properly vet their reputation and ensure adequate insurance coverages are in place.

When guards are employees, it is crucial they are adequately trained.

Cameras

Video surveillance is a powerful tool to help prevent theft. Ending up on camera is often a chance that criminals are not willing to take. Even when cameras are not actually recording, criminals may have no way of knowing, so their simple presence may still be a strong deterrent.

If the cameras are active, factors to consider include the quality of the surveillance video and how long recordings are kept.

While coverage of the entire premises is ideal, partial surveillance is better than none. If the budget does not allow for total coverage, then place cameras strategically to maximize deterrence.

Central Security Alarm

A central security alarm is like an anti-theft device for the entire storage site. The system can provide a real-time notification when there is unauthorized access to the site, either to a security company or directly to the business owner.

Central security alarms can be most effective when installed with automatic access control systems.

This may include the use of motion detectors that automatically send notifications when unauthorized activity is in designated areas.

Telematics/GPS

A rapidly growing trend for businesses with vehicle and equipment fleets has been the use of telematics. These devices are installed on the individual vehicle or piece of equipment to provide 24/7 tracking. Sometimes dashcams are also installed, which are cameras mounted within a vehicle on the dashboard to see the driver.

While telematics devices are primarily used for monitoring employees, they are also powerful anti-theft tools, enabling business owners to pinpoint a location at any given time. When dashcams are used, any incident that occurs may be recorded. 

Best Practices Beyond Physical Measures

To significantly enhance the safety of your construction site, it is essential to implement construction site security practices. Examples of these best practices include disabling heavy equipment before leaving the job site and frequently updating padlocks on gates and other access points throughout the construction process.

Risk Managers’ Role in Enhancing Security

It is crucial that risk managers keep up with the pace of technological improvements and look for new ways to improve security. Thieves are always looking for new targets and new ways to steal, so adequate theft prevention requires vigilance and preparation. While it may be tempting or there may be pressure to remain complacent in favor of maintaining or reducing costs, the business interruption that can result from a theft is not worth the risk.

Risk managers have the responsibility of ensuring that prevention efforts are focused and successful. Construction projects and new storage yards should properly budget for security prior to greenlighting any operations. Once the right approach has been determined and a security budget is in place, they should establish a formal plan that outlines how the changes will be implemented and what responsibilities employees will have. Efforts should be reviewed on a regular basis to find opportunities for improvement.

Finally, the plan must be communicated effectively throughout the company. A robust security prevention plan is only effective if employees are aware of its importance. With this in mind, risk managers should implement sufficient training sessions to integrate a strong attitude toward theft prevention into the company culture.