How to keep your construction site more secure
Approximately €7.8 million worth of items were stolen from construction sites around the country in 2017. As part of their Secure it, Keep it campaign, An Garda Síochána and the Construction Industry Federation have issued the following tips to keep your construction site more secure:
- Set up CCTV if you are going to be on site for a prolonged period
- Good security lighting
- Fences or hoardings are effective and should be used whenever possible
- Keep the number of gates to site entrance to a minimum
- Localised temporary security alarms should be used
- Control access to the site. Visitors must sign in and vehicle registration numbers given
- Cash should not be kept on site when possible
- Machinery should be left in a well-lit part of the site with the keys removed
- Security locks and ground fixings are great for extra security
- Keep a record of engine numbers chassis numbers, vehicle ID numbers etc.
- Store your tools in a secure area
- Mark all of your tools with a unique identification number, photograph them and keep a record of them
- Report all thefts and suspicious activity on sites to An Garda Síochána
There is also a Construction Site Security Challenge on garda.ie. You can take this challenge here to give you an indication of the security levels of your site and discover areas where improvements can be made. Remember, preparation for the unexpected is always wise. Contact us to review your insurance policy to ensure you have the proper level of cover in place.
