A Pre-Job Checklist to Improve Your Construction Jobsite Security

Keeping your jobsite secure starts long before you install your fence and other security measures. This checklist will help you reduce jobsite loss for your next project and give you an increased peace of mind.

1. Identify who will be responsible for security on your site.

Determine who will be held accountable for job loss on your site. Discuss with them their past jobsite security experience and what measures they’ve found successful. Show them that you’re taking an active interest in reducing loss on this next project, and help them to implement concepts from this list. 

2. Create and implement your loss reduction plan.

This includes an inventory management system, badges and uniforms for all employees and a mandatory sign-in form when anyone steps onto your jobsite. Consider rewards such as a gift certificate for the best security tip of the month. Work this out with your security manager, and be sure he understands what your expectations are for the next project. 

3. Gather contacts-police, fire and neighbors.

Dig out the phone book or search online to find the numbers of the local police and fire departments, as well as the local neighborhood association if there is one. You want good working relationships with these folks for the duration of your project, therefore, it’s a good idea to make contact early and ask if there are any special security precautions you should make. Be sure to drop off your business card with all people you visit with, along with your security manager’s business card. 

4. Changes in equipment, vehicles, tools and materials on site mean changes in security.

As you’re planning the job, remember that your security needs may change as different types of equipment, vehicles, tools and materials enter your site. Consider finding ways to visibly increase security when you have known shipments of valuable materials coming onto your site-this will keep any potential “inside” thieves from thinking they have an easy target. 

5. Line up off-site storage facilities for especially valuable materials, equipment, tools or vehicles.

Certain circumstances may necessitate a secure off-site storage facility for certain items from your jobsite. Find one if you’ll be on site through a known three-day holiday weekend or when you have especially valuable building materials or new appliances on site. Having a secure place lined up saves you the hassle of finding a facility on Friday afternoon before a three-day weekend. 

6. Take time to enforce your mandatory drug screening.

Do whatever it takes to ensure you have a mandatory drug screening program in place. It’s widely reported that 85 percent of jobsite thefts are inside jobs. Reducing the number of heavy drug users on your site can contribute to a reduction in loss, plus your site will be safer. 

7. Review your employee dismissal procedures.

Vandalism is especially high with employees who are fired. It’s even higher when they’re fired in the middle of a loud argument in front of the entire work crew. Make sure that you’ve spoken with all your managers about proper dismissal procedures, and reduce the chances of costly vandalism by angry former employees. 

8. Analyze the site for security requirements.

Here are a few quick tips:

• Research any controversy surrounding the particular job
• Ask the police about crime rates
• Visit the site at night to determine vulnerabilities
• Lay out the site to maintain high visibility zones
• Add high visibility security devices like cameras and strobe lights mounted on poles

Working through this pre-job security checklist will help minimize loss due to vandalism and theft on your jobsite. And it will keep you from contributing to the nearly $1 billion of loss that happens every year.