Theft and fires at construction sites cause damage that costs more than $700 million per year. This number only represents the damage we know about. To make matters worse, the number of thefts and arson incidents at construction sites seems to keep going up year after year, as do the prices of materials and equipment that have to be replaced.
Worst of all, these are only the numbers that are reported. Only about 25% of stolen construction materials are ever recovered. Many construction business owners have become so frustrated with the inability to recover lost materials and equipment, that they no longer report it and just take the loss.
With numbers like these and a good chance that the problem will only get worse, you absolutely do need security guards for your construction site.
Security Guards Help Prevent Theft at Construction Sites
Theft at construction sites comes from many different culprits. During hours of operation, security guards can help keep an eye on all of the different vendors and contractors that may come and go during the day. This applies to employees, too. The majority of thefts occur during hours of operation and are often committed by trusted people who should be onsite.
However, in terms of dollar amounts and damages, it is often the things that happen during off hours that are the most damaging. We’ve all seen the news stories about stolen heavy equipment and machinery. These types of incidents can cost you thousands of dollars in a matter of moments and do unbelievable amounts of damage to a project.
Hiring security guards like those at Elite Investigations deters thefts both during business hours and after hours. In the event that an incident does occur, expert testimony and documentation by security guards greatly increase the odds that you will be able to recover property and damages in court.
Security Guards Mitigate the Risk of Fire at Construction Sites
While the most damaging fires at construction sites are often caused by arson, and security guards certainly deter those situations, what makes a fire damaging is how long it is allowed to burn unchecked.
Security guards work to secure your property and the general area. The majority of fires at construction sites are due to equipment being accidentally left on. Having a security guard on patrol means that there is always someone there, watching, to catch these types of situations before they get out of control.
Even if there is a fire, you are far better off with some minor damage that can be repaired, rather than smoldering ruins when everyone shows up in the morning.
How to Secure a Construction Site
Awareness is nine-tenths of the battle when it comes to securing a construction site. Do not just assume that things will be safe as long as your vehicles are locked up at night. The fact is that many people see construction sites as a prime target for their crimes.
To secure your construction site, you will need:
- Good lighting, including overnight.
- A strong barrier that runs the entire perimeter of your construction site to keep people out.
- Locks on all entry points, special equipment, and containers of materials.
- Cameras to record the activities at your site, both day and night.
- Security guards to patrol the area, watch your cameras, and report any problems to authorities immediately.
Keep your construction site as secure as possible by hiring security guards. Call Elite Investigations today at (866) 901-1855 for help determining how to secure your site or to hire security guards right away.