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Construction sites are often busy places, with tradespeople, vehicles, and mobile equipment all creating a fast-paced environment. That’s not the only reason why you should be considering investment in the security of your construction site, though.
With worrying statistics on tool and equipment theft prompting widespread concern across the construction industry, and so many still asking “what is site security in construction”, there’s never been a more pressing time to look at your building site security solutions.
With this guide, we’ll explore the most pressing concerns for the industry, what measures you can put into place for building site security, and how you can find a provider that truly understands the demands of one of the UK’s most dynamic industries.
Construction sites are at risk of trespassers, criminal damage (including deliberate arson and material damage), health and safety breaches, insurance-related incidents (such as on-site injuries), and the unavoidable delays that these cause. There’s also the very real risk of theft, with an estimated £800 million lost every year from construction projects.
Theft from building sites is one of the most pressing problems facing those intimately involved with the sector. Organised criminals jeopardise security for construction projects on a larger scale, targeting heavy machinery, building materials, and infrastructure elements (such as foundation concrete or steel rebar).
Small-scale projects (including scaffolding on private premises or necessary works at vacant properties) are equally at risk, especially from insurance liabilities like deliberate trespassers. As the property owner or manager, you’re liable for any injuries sustained on your property, including anyone who’s there illegally.
There’s also the very real threat of health and safety breaches, which can be incredibly costly if the proper measures aren’t put into place. Chief among these – and of particular note for building site security – is the Occupier’s Liability Act. This is an immensely important regulation, especially if you’re unsure of why or how to improve construction site security.
The two key stipulations are:
We’d argue that this is the main impetus behind opting for professional security for construction projects, especially those that have stalled or experience periods of inactivity (over the weekend, for example). Lacking the right deterrent measures leaves your site vulnerable to further complications caused by deliberate (or even accidental) trespassing.
While health and safety often fall to the bottom of the pile when we’re considering how to secure a construction site, it’s considerations like this that bring it back into stark focus. Couple that with research from the Chartered Institute of Building, which found that 90% of construction personnel had witnessed a health and safety breach on-site, and it’s easy to see why there’s a major emphasis on compliance.
It’s not the only reason behind construction site security measures, though. Tool theft is also a major concern, and one that’s seeing worrying fluctuations. The latest estimates place that at around £98 million, and affect everyone from multi-million-pound construction enterprises to independent man-and-van businesses.
Vandalism often goes beyond just trespassing or graffiti. It can pose a serious danger, especially if key access points or equipment (such as scaffolding) are damaged or rendered unsafe. Plus, if someone is injured as a result of criminal damage, you’ll likely have to close down your operations and risk financial or legal issues.
But what can you do to improve your construction site’s security measures?
You should first assess the risks that are specific to your site (equipment, falls, and exposed wiring or metalwork, for instance) before implementing professional security measures (such as security guards, CCTV cameras, visually-verified intruder alarms, or security patrols) and ensuring that all entrance points are locked at the end of each day.
Here’s a more detailed guide to the steps you can take to improve the security of your construction site for you, your employees, and your equipment.
Every construction site is different, and answering the question of “what is site security in construction” isn’t always easy.
Whether that’s in the equipment or machinery you have on site, the type of development you’re working on, or the safety precautions that are specific to your building site, there are lots of different factors that make up your personal situation.
That’s why a site assessment is absolutely vital. While you can do this yourself, it’s often time-consuming, and missing out key risk factors and problem points can lead to significant complications further down the line.
It’s recommended that you work with a professional security services provider to create a solution that not only works for your site but also takes into account what makes it unique. At ProFM Group, for example, we’ll look at a wide combination of factors, including:
This bespoke package also means it’ll be perfectly tailored to your budget, offering complete peace of mind at a price that’s as competitive as possible.
Often considered the first line of defence on construction sites, guards are an exceptional way to ensure your site’s safety and security. They’re an incredibly effective deterrent, with the presence of personnel already a proven method for site perimeter security on construction sites.
They’ll also become a key part of your project, acting as a way to both reduce costs (officers can deliver health and safety inductions, as well as admit approved site traffic) and supplement existing staff expertise with key skills like Banksman duties – an essential concern on sites where HGVs and large loads are a regular fixture, like new build estates or major civil works.
On top of that, you’re able to position these guards in areas that you’re particularly concerned about (such as any garages for plant machinery, or tool storage). They can help address disturbances and be deployed 24/7 to provide complete reassurance that your site and assets are safe throughout the day and night.
There’s also the more reactive counterpart to a static presence – mobile patrols. Equipped with a vehicle and able to perform routine perimeter checks, mobile security patrols offer the ideal solution for larger or more complex sites.
They can patrol specific areas or move to predetermined points across the site in order to monitor different points as and when they’re needed. Our vehicles offer a hugely powerful deterrent, too, and are always visible and liveried when needed.
Often seen as the epitome of the security industry, effective CCTV coverage has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of evidence and crime prevention for your construction site. As technology becomes increasingly integral part of building a strong site security presence.
That’s particularly true as we move towards an active role on-site and new build projects move at an increasingly rapid pace. Solar temporary CCTV towers ensure that even sites with limited infrastructure and a lack of power have that same level of robust coverage, whilst also being a cost-effective solution.
These cameras also use an in-built, worldwide SIM card, so there’s no need for an active Internet connection. Many security providers will be able to fit these in a short space of time, too, meaning you’re never left unprotected.
Opting for a licensed security provider like ProFM Group means you’ll have access to our 24/7/365 National Operations Centre (NOC), who provide complete and comprehensive coverage of your site, as well as a swift and effective response in the event of an intruder or disturbance.
Construction sites are often busy places. With a constant flow of vehicles, visitors, and employees, access control on your construction site needs to be watertight and well-controlled to ensure everyone stays safe and you don’t risk losing valuable equipment or time.
This can come in many forms, but we’ve most commonly seen this deployed as ID badges or fobs, as these are often the most affordable and easily deployed options. However, there is a range of solutions, including those that leverage more advanced technologies such as facial recognition and biometric authentication.
Modern access controls can also be integrated with more traditional options, such as barriers and bollards, to facilitate the smoother transition of vehicles and other plant onto the site and ultimately streamline your operations.
Of course, if you’re concerned about theft at your building site, you want rapid-fire answers on how to improve construction site security. We’ve put together some of the most actionable suggestions in a short list so you can get started today:
Once you’ve implemented those solutions, the next logical step is to invest in them to ensure you’re protected long into the future. Contact us today to discuss how ProFM Group could be your trusted partner, and how we already deliver that for major players in the industry.
Emily is responsible for business growth and account development via new sales. She leads the Business Development teams through strategic goals and objectives in line with business targets and strategy. Emily is a friendly, approachable and a respected senior manager at ProFM Group who always strives to deliver service excellence.
