What are the best practices for construction site security?
Introduction
Threats to
construction sites are directly proportional to the size of the project. Crime
can happen at any location but as we all know, normally construction sites do
not operate under continuous surveillance and hence are prone to criminal
threats. Construction sites are undoubted, expensive work areas and are also
vulnerable to many types of threats and hazards. As the work is in progress all
the time and the infrastructure is being constructed, also expensive equipment,
tools, and materials are kept on site. The equipment and material used for
construction and the machinery alone are worth quite a handsome amount. As the
construction period can span over weeks, months, or even years, it can host not
only potential threats but also natural disasters. These threats can be
curtailed effectively if a few good practices are implemented for construction
site security hence contributing not only to saving precious lives but also to
decreasing the monetary losses of the construction companies.
Potential Threats to Construction Sites
Construction
sites can face a number of threats that can be costly and detrimental to
projects in progress. Here are five facts about construction sites threats:
1)
One out of ten construction workers sustain an
injury each year
2)
Nearly a fifth of workplace deaths are from the
construction industry
3)
An average of two deaths occur daily in
construction
4)
Electrocution accounts for 9% of construction
deaths
5)
Surviving a construction accident is not without
consequences/ repercussions
a.
Few possible man-made/ natural threats to
construction sites are: -
1)
Fire
2)
Theft
3)
Electrocution
4)
Vandalism
5)
Wind damages
6)
Water damages
7)
Natural disasters
8)
Accidents
9)
Acts of God
Importance of Construction Site
Security
Security of the construction site is of the essence. A secure site can deliver seamless service and can protect any project from expensive losses. Construction sites, prone to different types of crimes/ threats fall victim to increased cost effects, unhappy clients, and delayed projects which is why construction companies need Security Services Edmonton to effectively protect themselves and their workers. With technological advancements in the modern world, where many means are available to protect construction sites effectively, there are also people who can come up with innovative ideas to create threats and inflict losses on construction companies.
Practices for Construction Site Security
Completely
securing a construction site from any threat of loss or damage might be an
unrealistic goal but successful construction site security accepting the
element of risk involved in business and eradicates the causes by the following
means: -
1) On-Site Security
On-site security
means having human personnel operating on the ground on site. Larger
construction sites can benefit from this sort of security measure. The best
advantage ofr this type of measure is that the on-ground personnel can
communicate with people, devise the most logical plan, coordinate the efforts,
and can provide the most efficient response. An alert security person, merely
present at the construction site is an effective visual deterrent.
2) Zero Tolerance Policies On Site
Moreover,
policies made by the company to avoid any untoward incidents like falls,
electrocutions, fires, etc can also be posted around the construction sites and
distributed to any individual who enters the project. It should be made clear
to the employees that these policies are set to be followed and any rule
broken, can render them to disciplinary action/ consequences/ fines.
3) Perimeter Protection
Perimeter
protection not only provides a sense of security to people working at a
construction site but also is a potent deterrent for criminals to stay away
from the site. The biggest advantage of walled perimeter protection is that the
intruder has the fear of the unknown. Moreover, Fences, locks, observation
posts, and lights are also powerful criminal deterrents. Any construction site
equipped with a perimeter fence, coupled with observation posts, searchlights,
and locks can ensure foolproof security of the construction site.
4) Log Maintenance
Most effective
way to ensure the security of construction sites is to accept that anyone can
be a criminal. Employees and authorized visitors can also be involved in thefts
therefore, every item present at the construction site must have a serial
number or any identifying number that can be registered. A proper log book must
be maintained by the manager on-site, and all the tools used by the employees
must be drawn and deposited back against the name of said individual.
5) Single Access Point
One of the most
effective steps to ensure the security of the construction site is to limit
avenues of approaches to that construction site Security Guard Company Edmonton. This will directly result in
limiting approach options to thieves and will ensure a supervised entry/ exit
to the construction site by the workers. Issuing identity cards, and placing
registers with the names of workers on them at the entrance will further
enhance the checked entry and exit from the construction site. This security
approach can be best described as a two-pronged security approach in which on
one side, it safeguards the construction site from potentially dangerous,
unapproved, or uncertified workers entering the construction site, and on the
other hand, it secures the perimeter of the construction site entirely, hence
making it more difficult for unwanted individuals to gain access to the
construction site after work hours.
6) Surveillance System
This is a strong
step in creating a strong security mechanism for the construction sites. Most
modern construction site surveillance solutions are bolstered with high
definition coverage, recordings, thermal detection, motion detection, and can
also be monitored by security personnel, infrared sensors, and automated alarm
system. Installing surveillance systems might not be effective in preventing
crime but modern surveillance systems if properly deployed, can offer complete
site coverage. In doing so these systems enhance the chances of catching
culprits after the fact and recouping lost assets.
7) Site Safety
One of the
greatest threats to the safety of workers on construction sites is other
workers that might be doing the jobs which they are not competent enough to do.
Site safety should be ensured so that only those workers permitted to work on
construction sites have valid and updated working permits/ certificates.
Recommendations
a.
No machine can ever secure a construction site
better than the physical presence of a human being. Security personnel can
exercise proper command and control, can interact with people, and can predict
potential threats. It can take rational decisions to thwart any mishap and can
exercise better judgment. This potent tool takes high precedence in a sequence
of best practices for construction site security. Moreover, a comprehensive
plan can be devised to hire a number of security guards as per shift timings and
the area which needs to be secured to ensure an agile and alert response from
on-site security.
b.
A construction company should devise a set of
rules, policies, standard operating procedures, and a comprehensive list of Do
and Don’t to avoid accidents and mishaps like fire, falls, breakage and
electrocution etc. These policies, rules, and standard operating procedures
must be shared with all individuals and workers present on site or coming to
work on the job. Warning signs and safety/ caution signs can be pasted at
construction sites and safety brochures can be distributed among workers to
ensure a constant reminder for workers at the construction site to adhere to
rules and standard operating procedures. Workers who violate these rules can be
warned for consequences or fined to ensure the implementation of these safety
rules and policies in true letter and spirit.
c. Third best practice to ensure construction site Security Services Edmonton is to have a fence all around the construction site. Different types of perimeters can be erected/ installed, starting from caution tapes, barbed wire, handrails, and brick walls, depending upon the duration of projects and the scale of threat/ losses perceived in that area. To further strengthen the perimeter fence, it can be dovetailed with hang-around security, foot patrolling by security personnel, watch towers, searchlights, and even security dogs.
d.
Unaccounted tools and unregistered equipment are
surely a step away from getting stolen. Proper log books must be maintained at
construction sites to ensure a recorded use of equipment and tools. For this,
it is also important that all the machinery, tools, and equipment must be
tagged and registered and a documented handing taking must be ensured while
transferring these items from one user to another. Another step in this domain
to further ensure transparency is to conduct a conditioning board at regular
intervals in presence of competent authority to ensure that equipment and tools
which are rendered useless/ expired or worn out can be charged off from the
ledger/ log book.
e.
All workers of a construction site must be issued
identity cards to ensure supervised entry into the construction site.
Installing entry gates with the required identification ledger can be a
proactive approach toward ensuring construction site security. Moreover, a
record must be maintained of all the visitors at the entry points and visiting
cards must be issued while they move around at the construction site. This
mechanism will also ensure smooth and checked exit of all workers and visitors
out of the construction site.
f.
Technology plays a pivotal role in securing our
surroundings. Keeping this into account, the installation of cameras at a
construction site will not only act as a deterrent but will also help in
identifying the culprits after an incident has occurred. Further to this,
different types of cameras (night vision, motion sensors, 360-degree recording,
CCTV, and PTZ cameras) can be installed at construction sites as per their
requirement.
g.
Certified workers and qualified staff is an
important aspect to ensure construction site security. It not only gives
confidence to other workers which contribute in efficient working but also
reduces the risk of being affected/suffering losses at the hand of unqualified
fellow workers.
Conclusion
Safety on the
construction site is important to protect workers, and the public and keep the
job running. By creating a culture of safety in a construction company one can
protect themselves and the clients from losses. Construction site security due
to all the right reasons cannot be taken lightly. A weak security mechanism can
result in losses in terms of finances and lives having a severe impact on the
construction business. On the other hand, a safe and relaxed working site can
increase work performance, lower stress raises productivity, and can benefit a
business by enhancing the satisfaction of the job. Above mentioned steps can
play a pivotal role in ensuring construction site security. The
recommendations, enumerated above are to be coupled together to ensure optimum
security of a construction site as above mentioned construction site security
methods are not designed to be used in isolation.
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