Why Construction Sites Require Safety and Security

Health and safety measures are one of the most important steps you must take before starting any construction project. Appointing a security company is encouraged as they can offer a multi-layered security service with physical presence.

Construction sites require much safety and security therefore you should always consider all the different aspects of health & safety and security before your construction sites projects get underway.

A review conducted by insurer Allianz Cornhill, revealed that over £70 million of construction plant, including excavators, compressors and even cranes, has been stolen from construction sites in the last year. The insurer also discovered that thieves have become more sophisticated in the methods they employ, even posing as plant manufacturers maintenance workers in order to remove vehicles from site.

According to FMB studies, 83% of UK builders, more than three quarters have had their construction tools stolen. Furthermore, of the builders that have had their tools stolen in the past ten years (78%), the average value of the loss was £2,500. Over a 40-year working life, a builder will typically lose £10,000 worth of tools and 6 working days to tool theft.

It is not just financial stress but also work-related illnesses that are a cause for concern. Recent HSE reports show that around 80,000 construction workers in Britain say they suffer from an illness they believe was caused or made worse by their work. This has implications on the business as well as a result. The HSE estimates that 2.3 million working days are lost each year in construction because of either a workplace injury or illness, costing £1bn annually.

Whilst most organisations try to adhere to health and safety regulations, an increased awareness of the implications for failing to comply is required. The importance of safety and security on construction sites cannot be underestimated and below is a checklist of how to reduce risks and theft.

List of Risks and Hazards on a Construction Site

Every employer is expected by the law to ensure the health and safety of their workers, regardless of their occupation or the industry. Construction workers are significantly unprotected against high-risk environments which cause dangers that need to be addressed.

If you are a construction project manager or site manager, you must take the right safety and health measures to secure the work site from unexpected hazards or dangers or you may also consult a site security company.

Here are some of the hazards that construction workers suffer from every day:

• Falls from height
• Electrocution or arc flash/blast
• Scaffold collapse
• Trench collapse
• Motion injury
• Failure to use the Personal Protective Equipment
• Slip and trips
• Noise
• Moving objects
• Material and manual handling.
• Asbestos
• Collapsing trenches
• Electricity

How to Secure a Construction Site

Considering a huge range of threat of damage, theft, risk, and intrusion, it is vital that those operating sites go to suitable lengths for the sake of security. Luckily, there are many measures that could be taken by a security company to keep building sites safe and secure.

• Security Patrols – Taking the services of security guards for patrolling a construction site is the most effective way to prevent break-ins, vandalism, and theft. This is extremely overnight.
• CCTV – Frequently used in public places and stores, CCTV also serves as a helpful deterrent for any construction site-based crime. Placing security cameras around the building site will detour opportunist thieves but also serve as a recording tool for reviewing post event.
• Lighting – lighting brings a big difference to the construction site safety. Especially near site entrances and other main points of entry. This will significantly discourage intruders.
• Alarms – Though often used permanently for protecting constructed properties, these temporary burglar alarms are the most effective for securing construction sites. This will benefit larger sites to remain safe from thieves and robbers as the alarm would draw the guards’ and workers’ attention towards break-ins that may otherwise get unnoticed.
• Locks and Padlocks – The construction site can increase its security measures by securing vehicles, equipment, plant and machinery.

For more information on health & safety and security on construction sites, contact Leisure Guard Security on 0800 035 6607.