Safety

Seven steps to jobsite security

Head off theft and vandalism on your jobsite.

By Jeremy White

As a theft and vandalism prevention professional, I often get calls from contractors who have fallen victim to two or three jobsite break-ins and are fed up with exploding insurance premiums and materials and tool replacement costs. Through my experience, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce theft and vandalism.

1) Use a pre-job security checklist.
Jobsite security starts long before the perimeter fence goes up.
• Make one person responsible for security and help them implement their security strategy.
• Use an inventory management system, require employee badges and uniforms and implement a mandatory sign-in form for jobsite visitors.
• Get acquainted with local police, fire department and neighbors early on the project. They can provide extra surveillance of the jobsite when you’re not there.

2) To assess theft risk, monitor construction site theft in your area.
• Monitor area construction theft activity with Google’s Alert service, which can track jobsite theft and vandalism reports for free and send them automatically to your e-mail address.
• Prefix each Google Alert search term with your city, county or state that you want to monitor. Search term suggestions: construction theft; construction vandalism; jobsite theft; jobsite vandalism.

3) Analyze your jobsite’s unique security needs.
• Is the job controversial or is there a history of crime in the area? Plan accordingly.
• Visit the site at night to reveal vulnerabilities not easily seen in daylight.
• Identify site safety zones, then concentrate vehicles, equipment, materials and tools in visible areas.

4) Check security lighting.
Lighting discourages prowlers and helps outsiders see suspicious activity after dark.
• Position security lights so they illuminate the area, yet don’t create glare for passersby.
• Bright, white light makes intruders easier to identify and license plates easier to read. They cost more to own and operate, but it is worth it.

5) Protect your power source.
• Power lines should be 24' or higher and electric meters should be protected from tampering.
• Consider a generator or independent power source for security lighting.

6) Get the most protection from your security fence.
• Fence height: Taller fences are harder to climb and are a psychological deterrent.
• Barbed wire: Barbed wire on top of a chain link fence makes climbing difficult and uncomfortable. When attached at a 45-degree angle, it’s even more effective.
• Mesh size: The smaller the mesh, the harder it is to climb or cut.
Fencing with 2" mesh is common and works, but 1" or 3/8" mesh is even better.
• Establish a 5' clear zone on each side of the fence.
• Minimize the number of gates.
• Use narrow gates, but make sure at least one is at least 20' wide to allow easy emergency vehicle access to the site.

7) Question jobsite strangers.
• Require jobsite workers to wear a uniform, name badge or specific hardhat color and style so unauthorized visitors on the site are easier to spot.
• Workers should be ready and willing to ask unrecognized individuals questions that only those working on the site would know. If the person hesitates, changes the subject, offers bizarre answers or gets defensive, more questioning and action may be needed to find out why they are on the jobsite. u

Editor’s note:

Jeremy White, president of Pro-Vigil Construction Security is a jobsite theft and vandalism prevention professional. He can be reached at 866.616.1318 or www.pro-vigil.com.

Copyright 2010 Urbain Communications. All rights reserved.