How to Keep Tools and Machinery Safe on Your Construction Site

Construction sites are not only rife with potential hazards which can cause harm to workers, but they are also prime targets for theft, which is by far the most common crime taking place at construction sites up and down the country.

People know how valuable tools and machinery are, which is why it your duty as a construction site owner or manager to ensure that goods are kept safely and secure.

We discuss the several steps you can take to can help reduce or prevent theft of on-site tools and machinery.

Site-wide security solutions

The most effective, proven method for ensuring your tools and machinery are kept safe and secure, is to invest in high-quality security solutions which have the ability to cover your entire site.

The latest CCTV and wireless video detection systems allow you to view your site out-of-hours, which is when you are most likely to fall victim to such crimes. Moreover, installing access control systems, which only allow authorised people to gain entry into your site greatly reduces the risk of outsider theft of tools and machinery.

Security solutions not only act as a way to identify criminals, but they also act as a great deterrent, particularly when people are aware of their presence. A simple method to deter trespassers, therefore, is to add a sign at the entrance of the site which lets people know that 24 hour CCTV is in operation.

Train staff

All staff working onsite should be trained in how and where to properly store away equipment, so as to prevent theft. This includes itemisation, securely locking up and how to notice if something is missing or looks out of the ordinary.

Staff should also be aware of the appropriate steps they would need to take if they were to witness an incident, such as who to call.

It is important to only hire staff with the correct accreditations and to carry out regular background checks too, since theft on construction sites is often carried out by employees themselves.

If hiring manned security guards for an added layer of protection for your construction site, it is essential that you only employ those who are Security Industry Authority (SIA) certified, because they will have the relevant skills and training to know what to do in the event of a crime.

Tag your equipment

In the unfortunate event of your equipment being stolen, you are much more likely to have your goods returned to you if they have been tagged and reported as stolen to the police. Having an identification number attached to each item also helps when claiming back stolen goods on your insurance.

The Construction Equipment Security and Registration Scheme (CESAR) scheme now exists and allows site owners to register their valuable equipment and plant into a central database which helps to locate stolen pieces using the latest tracking code technology.

Moreover, you can also fit individual tracking devices to large, expensive pieces which can then be found using GPS technology.

Inventory management

Having a check-in and check-out process for special tools and equipment on site is an easy way to track who is using a piece of equipment at any given time so that if anything were to go missing, you could easily determine who the last worker using it was. A system like this helps to reduce the risk of staff theft.

Secure storage

Ensuring your site has excellent storage facilities, complete with secure locking or electrical safe systems, means that it will be extremely difficult for anyone to steal equipment when the site is closed overnight or during holiday seasons.

Vehicle immobilising equipment

The people who regularly steal from construction sites are often well versed in this sort of crime and many are aware of how to jump-start large vehicles. It might seem like an extreme measure, but investing in vehicle immobilisers for those left onsite out-of-hours could end up saving you a lot of hassle and expenditure in the long run.