Construction security is a generic term which refers to many different security measures which are applied to a given construction site. This includes everything from vehicle barriers to guard dog patrols and alarm activation. In this article we’ll take a quick look at just what Construction security is and some of the important considerations involved. Then we’ll take a closer look at some common problems that can occur on construction sites.
A lot of construction site security comes down to preventing the unlawful entry of people and the theft of property. Obviously, if construction staff are aware of the problems that can arise (such as poor lighting or no security fences) they can take steps to prevent these problems getting out of hand. One of the most common ways in which this can happen is through the utilisation of heavy machinery. Heavy equipment, for example, can be used to create physical barriers or to secure areas where access to a construction site is concerned.
There is obviously the obvious problem of criminals coming onto construction sites and stealing things. Obviously, if heavy machinery is employed on site for the purpose of securing areas then this will reduce the opportunity for criminals to access them. However, one of the big challenges that face construction site security officers is the actual theft of heavy equipment by criminals themselves. The reality is that it may not always be possible to identify criminals in the act – after all, if they’ve already committed another crime, then there’s no way for them to be identified on site and it’s often too late for them to be picked up by security staff.
This is where highly trained security officers can come in. They can be sent onto construction sites to monitor the activity on site. Their job is to spot suspicious behaviour and identify possible criminal activity. Then they can advise security staff and/or contractors of the potential problem. If it is something worth approaching a police investigation might even follow soon enough.
When there are unauthorized individuals on-site the very first thing they do is to try to gain access to restricted areas. Once they’ve got in they are likely to stay there for some time. If they’re already on site when security staff arrive they’re likely to be detained. However, if security staff were to intervene before the unauthorized individual committed a crime, such as breaking the law, the individual could be arrested as well. This would then cause the individual to lose their only source of income and this could force them into hiring more unlawful workers which would worsen their position on the job site.
Not only does the criminal activity on-site have an effect on the working day but it can also have an effect on the general security conditions on the entire construction site. As the illegal worker leaves the site there is a greater chance of further illegal activities taking place nearby. This means there may be a higher risk of theft, vandalism or other unlawful activity occurring nearby. Again this all adds up financially and it’s easy to see why construction security officers must take every reasonable step to apprehend dangerous unlawful workers.
Vandalism is also another major problem that security guards should be aware of. In many instances it’s not only the actual perpetrators who are committing crimes but the property owners and managers who haven’t made any efforts to stop it. Many construction workers are either unaware that there’s a problem or too scared to do anything about it. But as long as construction workers are hired and given access to valuable property on-site there is every reason for a company to take every measure to prevent vandalism.
Finally there’s CCTV to think about. The use of CCTV on-site has become commonplace with many construction companies and it helps ensure that security measures on-site are effective. In fact some construction sites now have CCTV cameras which can be placed near places of employment. This is particularly true in areas where theft is an issue and the proximity of cameras makes it possible for on site security staff to apprehend perpetrators as soon as they strike. The use of CCTV on construction sites isn’t just about catching thieves and vandals – it’s also about protecting the health and safety of all those working on-site.