Introduction
Job site security currently poses a major challenge to contractors with losses from job site theft estimated at over US $ 1 billion. Professional contractors, equipment manufacturers, equipment dealers, and insurance companies experience huge losses as a result of vandalism and theft of construction materials and tools.
Impacts of Job Site theft
Job site thefts have far-reaching negative impacts on the Construction Company, equipment dealer, and insurance companies and on the general work progress. These impacts are:
- Temporary job shut down
- A rise in the cost of insurance
- Refusal by rental companies to rent out equipment
- Damages to company reputation
- Increased security cost
Temporary job shut down
When construction materials or piece of equipment are stolen from a construction site, the job at hand is likely to be shut down temporarily as the contractor look for other tools and building materials. This results in construction delays which trigger a chain reaction of other losses related to delay in handling a particular job at the site.
A rise in the cost of insurance
The cost of insurance is bound to rise with increased reported cases of theft equipment and tools. The construction company and equipment dealers are bound to pay a higher insurance premium to offset the huge insurance cost in case tools and equipment theft occur. This in essence makes the operation costs of a construction company and equipment dealers rise. The huge operation cost is, in turn, passed to the client by the construction company.
Refusal by rental companies to rent out equipment
Equipment and tools rental companies these days have become very strict in regards to who they will rent out equipment and tools. Construction Companies which does not have a good security system are likely not to get a rental company that is willing to rent out their tools and equipment to avoid losses resulting from theft of such equipment and tools.
Damages to company reputation
Repeated vandalism can have far-reaching impacts on the construction company’s reputation. No clients or other related companies want to be associated with a company that fails to apply pre-emptive programs to avoid theft and vandalism as this is a display of irresponsibility.
Increased security cost
Increased Job site theft leads to increased cost of security as construction companies find a better way to avoid loss of tools, equipment, and materials. Modern security systems cost with round-the-clock remote surveillance capability costs a lot of money to install and operate. The cost of such a system increases the operation cost of the construction companies, which is passed on to the clients as additional costs.
Timing
Most job site thefts take place during the holidays and weekends, that’s between Friday at 6 pm and 6 am. Construction materials are likely to be stolen during the night on weekdays.
Factors influencing job site theft
A combination of factors makes job sites vulnerable to vandalism and theft. This factor includes;
- Lack of security
- Increase in cost of copper and scrap metals
Lack of Security
Construction companies that lack adequate security systems are an easier target for vandalism and theft. A combined security aspect is required in a construction site. This includes reputable guards, an Alarm system, a high-performance surveillance camera, and a strong perimeter fence
Increase in cost of copper and scrap metals
The increase in the price of scrap metal and copper has increased theft as stolen metal and copper from construction sites can be sold easily to scrap metal dealers at a high price.
The solution to curbing Job site theft
Construction companies must commit their resources to curb theft and vandalism on the construction site with close partnership with the construction owner. Some of the measures to be taken to minimize vandalism and theft include:
- The partnership between all concerned parties
- Put up security signs
- Installation of security cameras
- Strict Access control
- Equipment and tools security
The partnership between all concerned parties
Minimizing and stopping vandalism and theft on construction sites require close cooperation between the contractor, construction owner, scrap metals dealers, and the authority. It is of paramount importance to work in close cooperation with the members of the community in the neighborhood where the construction is taking place. Most police departments have a community aspect of policing. It is important to work with this unit dealing with local crime prevention.
The construction owner and the contractor should go ahead and sign a contract with the police authority to arrest anyone who trespasses. This arrangement should be done within the law and an Operation Notification form should be put up on the premises where is visible to everyone alerting members of the public on such operations targeting trespassers. The contractor should play a greater role in enforcing such a contract and should be willing to follow up any case and be willing to participate in the prosecution of anyone arrested in the process of vandalizing or stealing properties within a construction site.
Put up security signs
Posting visible signs all over the construction sites alerting and warning members of the public on a matter related to site security plays a greater role in curbing job site theft and vandalism. The public should be notified that the construction site is private property; this will go along in protecting the site as no one has any right to access or tamper with private property. This sign should be backed up by the ‘No Trespassing’ sign restricting any access to constructions sites.
Putting up a sign notifying the public that security cameras are in use also helps in curbing theft and vandalism. Cameras are very intimidating and no one likes to be caught on tape stealing or vandalizing as cameras help in identifying the culprits easily and when used in court, they present clear evidence.
Most theft of building materials, tools, and appliances is usually an inside job. In this case, it is important to put up a sign indicating that vehicles and staff will be searched before leaving the construction site. This will help in deterring the theft of tools and building materials.
Security Surveillance Cameras
Security cameras are very cost-effective as most of them require to be installed once. Modern Internet Protocol (IP) surveillance cameras can be controlled remotely and can be transferred from one construction site to the other. This camera when backed up with storage devices and moderate bandwidth can stream videos to a standard computer where they are stored.
The remote control concepts of the Surveillance camera make it possible to link them to a website where progress on a construction site can be viewed and monitored. Security camera helps in detection and deterrence of theft and vandalism of job site and also helps in prosecution.
Strict Access control
Extra precautions need to be put in place to secure the construction site by controlling access to the site. Padlocks on the main gates and doors to important stores where tools and materials are kept should be changed regularly. This is to deter the case of lock mastering.]
To secure the whole premises, a chain-link fence should be put up around the perimeter of the site. The perimeter should be checked on a regular basis for any damage which could give access to outsiders and necessary repair done.
The contractor should contact a reputable security guards company to guard the premises all the time. All guards should wear uniforms with the security company logo for easier identification and tracking.
All strangers found on the job site should be challenged on their intention. This shows the general public that the contactor is alert. All the gates should be locked when during working hours and after work.
To curb cases of an employee stealing construction tools and material. It is important to include a clause in the contract indicating that they are subject to search when leaving the construction site.
Equipment and Tools security
To minimize tools and equipment theft, it is very important to mark every tool, keep a record and protect them.
All moveable equipment and tools should be marked by welding or using an electric or manual engraver to put the company’s name on the equipment. Large tools and equipment should be painted with a unique color and the company name and logo put up. It is important to use the same color on all equipment.
All tools and equipment serial numbers should be recorded and an inventory should be kept. When the inventory is checked on a regular basis, it becomes easier to know if a certain tool or equipment is missing.
Construction tools and equipment should no be left in a remote areas where security is not guaranteed. It is important to install a modern anti-theft system and device, hidden fuel cut-offs, and hydraulic bypasses. The latest innovation makes it possible to lock and monitor aspects of the equipment.
Conclusion
Job site theft is a major challenge to most contractors in the United States. Tools, equipment, and building material worth over US $I billion dollars are lost annually with only 10% recoveries. Contactor should join hand with law enforcement authorities, property owners, the neighborhood community in curbing Job site security. Adequate security measures should be put up to minimize cases of theft and vandalism.