How you can secure your building site and reduce theft

If plant equipment is taken from your site, it can cause disruption to your projects and deadlines, and potentially cost you thousands of pounds to replace. With increasing instances of site theft, reporting to cost the UK construction industry £800 million a year, it has become more important than ever to implement effective security measures.

Our article below explores some ways you can reduce the risk of theft and keep your construction projects on track.

1. Remove all assets

Where possible, move any valuable tools and equipment to a safe storage place when the site is unmanned, and remove the keys from any large plant machinery or vehicles. Clearway shares how removing any portable assets helps to reduce the temptation thieves may experience when they can see equipment which could be easily taken.

2. Mark and log your tools and equipment

Make sure to keep an inventory of all equipment and building materials which are stored on-site. Alongside this inventory list, make an engraving on each tool for easy identification and tracking of your materials. Regularly reviewing this information and knowing where investments are at all times will help you to spot any missing items, and in the case of theft, have the knowledge of where to increase security measures.

3. Make sure equipment is stored away

Storing your equipment in a secured compound, building or container, or adding chains and padlocks, acts as a deterrent by making any machinery more difficult to move. PA Security recommends moving equipment into secure storage helps to encourage workers to follow the ideal practice of storing and safeguarding tools properly after using.

4. Install site entrance mechanisms

Implementing a swipe card access, keypads or a fingerprint recognition system guarantees that only authorised staff are able to enter the site. A secure site means knowing who is on the site, which also allows you to account for everyone present in the case of an emergency.

5. Utilise geolocation devices

Certain geolocation devices are equipped with the ability to inform you, via text or email, if your equipment has left the site or if the engine has been started-up after hours. It can also help you to locate the equipment if it has been moved without authorisation.

6. Use surveillance

Widely recognised as one of the most effective security systems for construction sites, putting CCTV in place helps to deter criminals from your site. Video surveillance can help you identify suspects and retrieve stolen items in the case an intrusion.

7. Ensure lighting is sufficient

ake sure your building site is well lit to improve visibility for your CCTV and security personnel. G3 Security reports how sites with ample lighting throughout and around the perimeter appeal much less to criminals due to an increased risk of being seen, and inevitably caught.

8. Register your assets with CESAR

CESAR is the approved Construction and agricultural Equipment Security and Registration scheme, set up to provide an easy and effective way for police officers to identify all types of equipment, even with limited knowledge of plant machinery. Officers are enabled to contact the registered owner about the location of their stolen assets at any point in the day.

According to CESAR, the recovery rate for unregistered plant equipment is as low as 5%, however the recovery rate for stolen plant registered with CESAR is as high as 30%.

9. Implement physical security

Installing fences and locked gates around your construction site works as protection for your tools and equipment, as well as acting as a visible deterrent by preventing opportunists from seeing into your site. Additional physical barriers can be installed within the site to protect certain valuable assets and areas of work.

10. Insure your tools

Invest in cover for your tools, trade materials and plant equipment:

• Tools insurance - Tool theft is a common practice, so it is important to ensure your tools are covered in case they are stolen, lost or damaged. Tools insurance provides up to £5,000 of cover, helping you to save money, reduce stress and return to work quickly. If you need to make a claim, the policy will respond to pay you the amount of the loss or to replace your equipment up to the cover limit.
• Plant hire insurance - Whether you hire-in plant machinery or have your own, you’ll need to make sure it is insured and that you follow safety guidelines to prevent theft and malicious damage, avoiding any disruption to your building projects. This covers your legal liability under the terms of a plant hire agreement to pay costs of repairing, restoring or replacing the machinery following damage to hired-in plant that you are responsible for.

Please note: This article provides guidance for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon wholly when making or taking important business decisions – always seek the services of an appropriately qualified professional. The views expressed by websites referenced to are limited to those of the websites, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Markel Direct.