Construction sites are a familiar sight in small and big cities alike. Have you ever seen one when walking or driving around the city? These construction sites are the start of every new infrastructure that helps society grow. Sadly, these construction sites are also easy targets of crime! It is such a big problem in the UK and the world that theft prevention should be one of your main concerns as a contractor.
Thousands of machines are stolen from construction sites every year. The items lost range from small tools, valuable materials, even large vehicles! These tools and equipment cost a great deal of money, so this crime causes financial losses to the construction company. It also causes project delays because items need to be replaced. So, is there a way to prevent theft in construction sites? Read on to find out.
Construction theft statistics
Construction sites are at a high risk of theft, to the point that the UK police state that a tool is stolen from a tradesperson every 17 minutes! This is especially common in sites where building work takes place. In fact, 92% of construction managers in the UK state that they have been affected by theft. The losses from these crimes reach £800 million per year, according to the insurance company Allianz Cornhill. This is why theft prevention measures are very important.
Why do thieves target construction sites? There are two main factors: easy access and high resale value. Not every construction site has proper surveillance and guards. This is especially true at night when it is dark and the workers are home. In addition, if you’ve seen a construction site, you can usually spot tools lying around. Even if someone didn’t have any intention to steal, they can easily grab a tool or two out of desperation or mischief.
Construction tools also have a high resale value. They are always in high demand, especially during the pandemic when they couldn’t be imported overseas. Buyers will gladly buy secondhand items, and they will be none the wiser. There is also the factor of inflation that increases the price of these tools every year. Thus, people turn to cheaper prices without asking many questions. Thus, you need theft prevention strategies to prevent all this from happening.
Why is theft prevention important?
Theft prevention is very important because the construction industry is very vulnerable to this crime. A construction site is out in the open and involves a lot of tools and people coming and going. All of this makes a site difficult to secure. Without proper theft prevention strategies, your business and the community can experience a lot of losses, such as:
- Financial losses: You need to replace all stolen tools using the construction project’s budget. If equipment theft happens because of one person or a group of people, they might have to pay out of their own pocket.
- Project delays: If workers don’t have the proper tools, they cannot continue doing construction work. As a result, important projects might run late. Theft prevention measures help prevent this!
- Loss of productivity: The time you could have spent working on the project is now lost. Instead, you deal with complex insurance claims and police reports.
- Reputational damage: Equipment theft shows that a construction site is not safe and the site managers are not adept at securing their assets. This will damage the construction company’s reputation and lead to a loss of trust. Therefore, theft prevention is a method to uphold a company’s reputation.
- Potential penalties: The construction company can receive penalties if it misses a project deadline. If a rented tool goes missing, the company might also need to pay penalties to the renter.
- Safety hazards: A case of equipment theft shows that a construction site isn’t secure. If a thief enters the site and tampers with machines and systems, it can cause fire or electrical hazards. To avoid this, there should be theft prevention strategies in the workplace.
Strategies for theft prevention in construction sites
When equipment theft happens in construction sites, it can lead to an array of disasters. Financial losses or project delays are only the tip of the iceberg. You also run the risk of hurting your workers, especially if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is stolen. Once construction crime happens and no theft prevention is in place, there is a risk that it will occur again.
These safety risks prove that you need to do more than just protecting your assets. As a good construction manager, you should prevent crime on-site to create a safe working environment for your workers. Furthermore, prevention measures are important not just to keep thieves away. It is also necessary to keep unauthorised people from entering and injuring themselves. Apply the strategies below to secure your construction site!
Secure your construction site
The key to theft prevention is ensuring there are no openings to your site that thieves can use as entry points. You can use fencing, locks, and gates to shield your assets. Any fencing or gate should be high enough and difficult to climb. Also, make sure all doors and gates are locked during breaks and at the end of the workday.
Aside from protecting your whole site, you should also secure your equipment. Don’t put high-value tools near the perimeter of the construction site, because passersby can take them when workers aren’t looking. For extra security, you should store your tools in a closed building. Never think you’re being too paranoid, because it’s better to be safe than sorry. Careful protection is a very important aspect of equipment theft prevention!
Take note of all your tools
Did you know that the UK has programmes where you can register your construction tools? Construction Equipment Security and Registration (CESAR) and the National Plant & Equipment Register are two such programmes. Take note of your tools’ brand, model, serial number, photos, and when they were bought. Jotting down your inventory helps you and the authorities identify your missing assets more easily.
Sign-in and sign-out system
Using a sign-in and sign-out system for your construction tools can be a good protection strategy for theft prevention. Assign a supervisor to track each tool and equipment at the start and end of the workday. Make sure all equipment is stored in its proper place at the end of the workday. This can be time-consuming, but worth the effort. This way, you can notice missing equipment quickly.
Use theft prevention devices
You don’t have to rely only on manual labour to guard your construction tools. With the help of technology, protecting your assets is easier and more cost-effective. Use security cameras and video recording to monitor your construction site even when you are not present. You can also install motion detectors to record any suspicious movement during off-hours.
You can also make use of online databases, such as The Equipment Register. Register your tools here so you can check and track stolen items. For large vehicles, you can consider installing GPS trackers or locks that require PIN codes to start the equipment. However, remember that theft prevention devices are not invincible. Make sure to check your security devices often for signs of damage or wear.
Train your workers
Awareness is key to equipment theft prevention and site security. Make sure all supervisors and workers stay alert for any strange person or activity on site. They should not let their guard down even during breaks or downtime. Your workers should know what to do or who to call in case a break-in happens.
Also, keep in mind that not all cases of construction crime are done by external people. Your workers can also become thieves.This is because they know the layout of the construction site better than anyone. To prevent this, make sure to conduct thorough background checks on each worker before hiring them. You should also test them for drugs and alcohol. People who abuse substances might be tempted to steal from your site to afford their pleasures.
Key takeways
Construction theft is a common problem in the UK and causes major losses to construction companies. Thus, thorough theft prevention measures should be put into place. Register your equipment, install security devices, and train your workers to keep an eye on suspects. Preventing construction crime is a joint effort between site managers and workers, so make sure everyone is involved in creating a safe and secure workplace!
If you want to learn how to be an adept construction site manager who can prevent theft cases, take our online courses at the College of Contract Management. Our construction courses will teach you all about construction management and safety. Don’t compromise on your construction site’s security. Take your first step in learning theft prevention and enrol today!
