Improve Construction Site Security

Do Construction Sites Have Security?

You may be wondering why a construction site needs to be secured, this is because construction sites come in a variety of sizes and face multiple potential risks which will all require security measures. Examples of these risks include damage to construction, loss of valuable materials, tools, fuel, and more. Construction sites are often targets for both theft and vandalism which can set back the construction time and cause unwanted extra costs. These types of crimes can set a project back for several weeks, resulting in poor customer experience, increased expenses, and decreased business growth. They will mainly be targeted for their tools and machinery by opportunists or could even suffer criminal damage such as arson by protestors, opposing companies, or those simply wanting to cause a disruption. As a result of this, most construction sites will have security measures such as guards, dog handling, CCTV monitoring, and mobile patrol. All construction sites should require security measures to prevent unauthorised access to the site. This is due to the risks involved with being on-site, at present two to three children die each year after gaining access to a building site. It is also common for members of the public to suffer injuries from the following while on site:

• Falling Materials

• Plant Machinery

• Moving Vehicles

• Falling Into trenches

So not only is it important to protect your site from crime, but it is also extremely important to protect the people working on and surrounding the site itself.

Who Is Responsible For Construction Security?

The 1957 Occupiers’ Liability Act states that the occupiers of construction sites have a duty of care to those who access the site. If there are multiple contractors on-site, then a ‘principal contractor must be appointed to manage and monitor all construction work that takes place so that it is carried out without any risks to safety. There will also need to be a manager who will take on the daily responsibility of health and safety as the principal contractor will not always be present on site. Construction sites may also have visits from independent regulators such as the Health & Safety Executives to review the safety measures on-site. This is a huge responsibility to be shared across just a couple of people, so it is recommended that you get additional construction site security.

Construction Site Checklist

Checklists are often used in construction to control and manage safety, for example, the list will ask questions regarding protective equipment, safety measures, and more. These safety measures will be checked on a regular basis to ensure the health and safety of everyone present on site. Construction sites may have a variety of checklists including general safety, equipment and tools, quality checks, and more. These will clearly define individual responsibilities and identify any potential risks to your site. It is quick and easy to create your own checklists, just make sure to keep them relevant to your business and guides you through the entire construction process.

Security Guard Duties When working at construction sites, security guards will have a variety of duties depending on what your site requires. Examples of these include:

• Static Guarding

• Security Dog Handling

• CCTV Monitoring

• Key Holding

• Mobile Patrol Security

• Guard Tracking

Not only will security guards patrol and protect your site, but they will also engage with good customer service while on shift. Guards may potentially be the first person your customers, potential clients, or staff members come across on-site, so it is important they behave in a professional manner. They will do this by giving a warm welcome, using good communication skills, offering any information required, and always maintaining a watchful eye. Site Security Equipment It is vital that you ensure every person on your construction site is fully protected from any potential risks such as falling objects, flames, toxic chemicals, sharp materials, falling from a height, extreme temperatures, and more. In the last year, there were 39 fatal injuries to workers, so we have listed multiple different ways to lessen the likeliness of these risks:

• Safety Signs

• CCTV Cameras

• Alarm System

• Reflective Gear

• Helmets

• Safety Harness

• Safety Boots

• Safety Netting

• Fire Extinguishers

• Caution Boards

• Protective Gloves

• Kneeling Pads

Implementing these measures will keep all staff on-site safe, as well as any members of the public passing by.