Construction Theft: A Problem Plaguing Jobsites

A cctv camera on a pole in front of a building being installed by a licensed contractor.

Construction Theft: A Problem Plaguing Jobsites

In the construction world, jobsites are home to large amounts of heavy equipment, expensive raw materials, and ancillary resources that are essential to the project’s completion.  Despite large amounts of money invested, construction security is typically overlooked, meaning both thieves and employees can abscond with materials and you’ll be none the wiser at the end of the day.  We’ve compiled a list of construction jobsite security tips and considerations that minimize theft so you can save time and money in the long run.

Plan For it

Every single jobsite has unique specifications, limitations, and requirements – chances are no two sites are the same.  This means you have to create unique security plans for each site that you work on to protect your financial and material investments.  Check and notate things like potential entrances and exits, accessible windows, locks, security devices, and materials stockpiles.  Next, create a list of ways to protect these items on site, and distribute this plan to the local foremen, team managers, and subcontractors.  Once everyone on site is briefed, create an inventory list of the materials and items on site and count it weekly to make sure nothing is going missing.

Protect Your Worksite

In the construction world, a lot of jobsites are simple open air lots where people can come and go as they please, whether they are authorized or not.  It’s imperative to start with a sturdy perimeter fence around the jobsite, complete with “Authorized Personnel Only” signs to ensure that unauthorized people stay out and important materials stay in.  Create entrance and exits points in the fencing methodically, with security guard booths and cameras covering the high traffic areas – this will deter people from simply walking up to the site without proper clearance beforehand.

Lastly, select and designate a parking area for employees that isn’t directly on the jobsite itself.  Having employees park within the confines of the worksite itself can create high-traffic challenges where you can’t monitor who is coming and who is going.  Reducing the total number of visitors to the worksite helps security personnel separate essential staff from non-authorized visitors.

Hire Competent Security Staff

If you have the budget to hire proper security staff, you can seriously mitigate construction theft problems that plague the industry.  There are a number of reputable companies that specialize in jobsite security in the construction world.

First, with dedicated security personnel, you can man the entrance and exit points, ensuring that every vehicle, materials delivery, and visitor is logged and approved before they set foot on the jobsite itself.  

Secondly, security staff can keep a 24/7 vigilant eye on the jobsite thanks to improvements in video monitoring and surveillance technologies – no longer can thieves strike after hours when the majority of employees head home for the day.  Lastly, contracting with a security company can help you address and protect security problems long before they occur with the following loss-prevention strategies:

All in all, no jobsite will ever be 100% secure and theft-free.  However with the strategies above, you can create a jobsite with specific procedures and preventative measures in place that combat the prevalence of theft by making it more and more difficult to pull off.  Join in the conversation today with CSLS – how do you specifically protect your jobsites from theft?

About CSLS:

CSLS is the largest contractor licensing school in California with over 25 locations throughout the state. We have the highest success rate of any school – 99% of our students pass their exam on the first try, and that’s guaranteed or your money back.

Our teaching process prepares you in a step by step manner for everything you need to know to pass the law, business and trade portion of your exam.  Our programs are designed for convenience. We have online programs, home study, crash-course and in-school options, making it easy and affordable for you to become a licensed contractor.