Construction and building sites can be an easy target for thefts. Common items stolen include building materials, copper, appliances, doors, windows, fittings, electrical cable and tools.
Without security measures your site is more likely to be targeted. Here are some tips to help secure your site and protect your property.
Secure the site
- A site fence presents a clear physical barrier to manage risk and prevent theft.
- After hours intruders in a fenced area are more likely to be reported to police.
- Install secure on-site containers to lock away tools and equipment after hours.
- Recover keys from tradespeople when they no longer need site access. Consider using construction keying or regularly change combination locks.
- Introduce yourself to neighbours and encourage them to report intruders.
- Clearly displaying after hours details will assist police to contact you if needed.
Install CCTV
- CCTV is a visual deterrent. Include clear signage that the site has CCTV.
- Determine what you need from your CCTV – to identify people and number plates or just detect or observe people at the site.
- Monitored CCTV vision can give real-time information about your site. Security companies offer real-time monitoring of CCTV, but systems that link your phone to the camera through a simple app are inexpensive and popular.
Marking and tracking
- Marking valuables makes them less attractive to thieves.
- Engrave tools. Use your ABN or a driver’s licence number. Prefix your driver’s licence number with your state’s first letter (e.g. ‘S’ for South Australia).
- Display signage that items on site are marked for identification.
- Record your tools with a photograph of the item and serial number.
- If tools are kept onsite, store in locked storage or shipping containers or security cable larger items together.
- Lock equipment cabs and fuel caps. Activate available anti-theft features e.g. wheel or ignition locks, battery switches.
- Use coloured spray paint to mark raw building materials.
- Consider tracking devices on expensive or targeted equipment and know how to track them! They’re inexpensive and re-usable. Attach to items like hot water systems, whitegoods, bundles of raw materials, machinery, equipment etc.
‘Just in time’ delivery
- Whitegoods, hot water systems and raw materials are prime theft targets.
- Try to have building materials delivered when they are to be installed.
- Avoid having quantities of raw materials on site over weekends or holiday periods.
- Delaying installation of appliances until after occupancy reduces theft and the accompanying damage and delays. Explain this to new owners.
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