9 Steps for Job Site Security

Site Security: Developing A Strategy To Prevent Loss

There are many decisions that are made on a daily basis to help keep expenses under control. One of the most critical decisions to make is what approach to take concerning jobsite security and loss prevention. This is an area that may also  seem overwhelming to many companies because the only model they may be familiar with is the traditional security guard  company approach. The incredible opportunity for many companies today is that they can develop a plan that utilizes breakthrough technology to provide superior on-site security for a fraction of the cost of traditional security methods. The following nine steps can assist your company in evaluating and developing a proactive plan to protect your jobsite from the growing problem of theft and vandalism.

Step One: Identify Your Point Person

The first step is to identify the person within your organization who will be the point person for developing and overseeing your loss prevention strategy.  One of their first assignments should be to coordinate with local authorities to understand what type of criminal activity is happening in the area surrounding your site and assess the potential for problems at the jobsite location.

Step Two: Create Your Site Security Plan

The decision not to be victimized by theft and vandalism occurs ideally before the project even begins. Consulting with a site security expert like EyeSite Surveillance, Inc. can help you to think through issues like perimeter security, lighting, video surveillance, and even where and how materials are stored.

Step Three: Network With Your Neighbors

The community where your site is located can become an additional layer of protection for your company as well as added protection for the residents and businesses that are already there. Your point person can be a key to developing relationships with them to add more eyes to the protection of your site.  Make sure they know when and who to call in the event of suspicious activity.

Step Four: Know What Your Assets Are

It is in the best interest of your company to know what assets and property you have on site. Your property should be inventoried, labeled, and your most valuable equipment should have the ability to be tracked. Have a clear policy that communicates how personal property of employees is able to be separated from company property.

Step Five: Work Outside In

Your perimeter fence is your first line of defense. Make the investment to utilize 6-8′ high chain link fence, set in concrete if feasible and secured with a hardened steel chain and lock. In addition to surrounding your entire site with a fence, the use of strategic mobile surveillance units utilizing video technology will add an important deterrence layer of defense. Pay careful attention to isolated areas of your site and prioritize your site based on valuation of equipment and resources. Your goal is to stop vandalism and theft before they even begin by making the planned crime more difficult.

Step Six: Lock It Up

Storage conex boxes and lighted areas should be set up to store your most valuable equipment and tools. These storage areas should also hold high liability items such as hazardous materials, solvents, poisons, and explosives. Keep your vehicles locked and secure your keys apart from the vehicle. Lock all gas and oil caps, and utilize hidden ignition cut-off switches on machinery.

Step Seven: Assess Your Site Access

Controlling your access point, have a clear way to identify those that should be on your site, having a plan to control employee parking, and deciding how you will handle access to those entering your site who are not employees are all critical decisions that must be addressed. The larger the site and the greater the number of people, the more detailed the assessment will need to be. The placement of “No Trespassing” signs as well as a way of controlling after-hours access should also be evaluated.

Step Eight: Shed Light On Your Site

As mentioned earlier, it may be that the simplest decision you may make on your site is to use light as a strategic deterrence. In sensitive and isolated areas where lighting is not possible, wireless, infrared, video verified motion viewers can be deployed to add an additional layer of support by quickly notifying the authorities if someone has crossed into a restricted zone.

Step Nine: Your Site Security Starts With Your Employees

A disturbing fact is that much of the loss that occurs on many sites comes from employees and subcontractors. Clearly defined company policies about how criminal activity is dealt with, as well as outlining safe ways employees can report suspicious behavior to the management team, will round out your complete site strategy for loss prevention.

We hope that by providing these nine steps, it encourages you to begin considering your strategy for securing your jobsites. The professionals at EyeSite Surveillance, Inc. are available to assist you as you set out to develop and implement a plan for total site security and loss prevention. As industry leaders, and with an eye on creating a customer service experience that is unmatched, EyeSite Surveillance, Inc. is working hard to protect your site with affordable, state-of-the-art technology and innovative systems that can help increase project safety and profitability.