Theft is a serious concern in the construction industry, as high-value tools and machinery are often left in plain sight or are easily accessible to criminals. Construction site theft can cause costly delays and even halt projects entirely, so it’s crucial for employers to implement appropriate measures to prevent jobsite theft in each of the following areas:
General Theft Prevention
- Create a written security policy and jobsite security plan. These written plans should assign supervisory responsibilities, encourage awareness and establish basic best practices for securing tools and materials.
- Contact nearby property owners and local law enforcement officials whenever you start a new project. These parties can help monitor your jobsite, particularly during off-hours.
- Establish a way for your employees to report theft or suspicious activity. Be sure to maintain complete records of any security incidents, as they can be beneficial to law enforcement in the event of theft, vandalism or similar occurrences.
- Conduct thorough background checks on your employees before hiring them full-time. You should also keep a list of authorized jobsite personnel on hand at all times.
Worksite Protections
- Enclose your worksite with a security fence and provide limited access at all times. Use lockable gates whenever possible. Avoid using low-quality locks or leaving keys in the locks.
- Ensure that your worksite is well-lit at night to deter criminals.
- Utilize signage to keep unauthorized personnel off your worksite.
- Consider hiring security guards to patrol the construction site, particularly at night.
- Install security cameras to safeguard the jobsite and catch thieves in the act so you can attempt to recover stolen items.
Controls for Equipment, Tools and Materials
- Create an inventory for each jobsite that tracks all items. Copies of the inventory should be kept in a secure location, and they should be updated as needed.
- Store equipment in a secure area.
- Mark and label all tools in a distinctive manner for easy identification.
- Implement a checkout system for all tools and equipment so you can track their whereabouts.
- Establish a key control system for heavy-duty machinery.
- Install anti-theft devices on mobile equipment.
- Park all equipment in a centralized, well-lit and secure area.
- Avoid using your worksite for storage. Remove tools, materials or equipment that are not in use.
Responding to Jobsite Theft
If equipment, tools or materials are stolen, report the theft to the authorities. Then, contact your insurance broker to review your insurance policy, including coverage, limitations and deductibles related to company equipment, and file an insurance claim to cover financial losses stemming from the theft.
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