A 2020 Guide To Construction Site Security
Construction site security systems need to be dynamic, creative, and wide-ranging in order to effectively protect the area. Since construction site security monitoring is so difficult to pull off using “traditional” methods, more and more companies are turning to 21st century solutions to the problem of guarding large, asymmetrical, and vulnerable construction sites. Ultimately, securing a construction site in 2020 requires an experienced team that can implement a technology-forward approach.
What Is A Construction Security Plan (CSP)?
Protecting your job site is a major logistical problem that can be utterly overwhelming if you try to figure it out on your own. The unfortunate reality of the world we live in is that simply hiring a couple of “traditional” security guards to patrol your entire site is simply not enough to stop sophisticated thieves or vandals in 2020. And sadly, the consequences of implementing such inadequate measures can be financially catastrophic.
To make sure that your construction project goes off without a hitch, you’ll absolutely need to get a construction security plan, or CSP, in place. What is a CSP? Simply put, this is a master document that clearly defines who your site security manager is, what phases the project will go through, all relevant dates and personnel, as well as a comprehensive risk assessment.
What will your security measures be? Will you have fences? Cameras? Traditional guards?
Where will you store your building materials? What are your building materials, and which are the most valuable? How will you keep them safe?
Is there a plan to protect vital documents and operational materials from workers and other people who may be visiting the construction site?
These are just a few of the critical considerations put forth in a construction security plan, and only by answering these questions in fine detail can you begin to get an idea of how you plan to effectively guard the project and its associated assets.
Major Construction Security Concerns
Any jobsite security program is going to need to address some of the main security concerns faced by all construction sites.
The two main threats to construction site integrity are theft and vandalism. Unfortunately, both are extremely common. Vandalism may be politically (or financially) motivated, though sometimes it’s simply a result of a construction site being an easy target. Theft is extremely common at construction sites, both from people associated with the project as well as outsiders. This is due to the huge quantities of valuable raw building materials often left out in piles, accessible for anyone with knowledge of the site to come and cart away at their convenience.
As a general rule, many construction sites are poorly lit, with no control points/fencing, inadequately surveilled, and sloppily organized. When masses of valuable metal like copper are simply left in a pile, in an unlit corner of the jobsite, it’s only a matter of time before an enterprising thief comes along and takes it. In fact, metal and fuel are the two most commonly stolen resources from construction sites, due to their high value.
Inevitably, a huge focus of an effective security plan will need to be an attention to personnel onsite. Is there a record of who comes and goes? Are there controls in place to limit access and the number of entry points on-site?
Effective construction site security needs to be a cooperation between the entire team. Materials need to be properly labeled, identified, and accounted for. Any personal items that workers bring on-site need to be registered and labeled as such to avoid theft or accidental removal. Key staff members need to own various parts of the security plan, such as inventory control and on-site guarding. There should be one person at a management or director level who can serve as the security coordinator and liaison between the project, local law enforcement, and any contracted security services. Of course, it goes without saying that any losses or security events need to be reported and recorded immediately.
Remote Guarding: Building A Strong Security Management Plan For Construction Sites
If you’re ready to implement a construction site security plan that is actually effective in 2020 and beyond, you’re going to need to explore remote guarding. Construction site security guard duties are too numerous for one or two on-site guards to handle on their own.
Only in recent years has technology caught up to the level where site managers can effectively monitor and protect every nook and cranny of a sprawling construction site. Galaxy Protection is a cutting-edge remote guarding solution that custom-designs construction security plans for clients of all sizes.
A remote guarding approach to construction site security may often work in conjunction with on-site traditional guards, though not always. Advantages of incorporating Galaxy Protection’s remote monitoring into your site security plan include:
- Access point control
- Customized HD camera network
- Two-way audio
- 24/7 active monitoring
- Immediate response to security events
- Site security plan expertise from Galaxy personnel with years of security, military, and law enforcement backgrounds
Example of Remote Monitoring Response To A Construction Site Security Event
When a construction site manager comes to Galaxy Protection for help with jobsite security, the process always begins with an in-depth consultation and examination of the premises. The Galaxy team needs to learn the ins and outs of your unique jobsite in order to effectively guard it, because there is no such thing as a “cookie cutter” solution for an area as complex as a construction site.
From there, a comprehensive plan is drawn up — where to install cameras, where to deploy access control or facial/license plate recognition, and other key considerations. Once the security plan is in place, the Galaxy Protection team installs and implements the security infrastructure ourselves, to the highest standards of quality and professionalism.
Once the system is in place, our expert security agents will be monitoring your site’s video and audio feeds in real-time, ready to intervene within a split second of a security incident unfolding.
The response to a security event typically unfolds like this: a Galaxy Protection agent notices an unexpected individual on the premises. They will attempt to visually identify the individual or run them against the facial recognition database. Once it’s determined that this individual is not authorized to be on-site, Galaxy Protection will begin locking down key areas via remote access technology while simultaneously beginning to contact local law enforcement.
Once law enforcement has been summoned to the site — within mere moments of the thief’s arrival — Galaxy Protection agents may make use of two-way audio, if appropriate, to alert the intruder that they are being recorded and police are seconds away. Often, this is so shocking to a would-be thief or vandal, they simply drop whatever they have and run away as fast as possible. Unfortunately for them, our sophisticated HD video network has already recorded their face in crystal-clear detail, giving law enforcement a huge head start on efforts to detain the individual and prevent further crime.
No matter the size of your particular construction site, in 2020 it requires more than a traditional security guard to keep your construction site truly secure. If you want to have a professionally run jobsite that carefully accounts for every detail and possible contingency, you need the very best remote monitoring security system in place. Worried that this sounds more costly than you can afford? Don’t be. In recent years, the cost of even sophisticated technology like facial recognition has dropped to enable jobsites of all sizes to afford incredible security solutions that ensure your project will go off without a hitch.
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