When theft of equipment and materials amounts to more than a billion dollars per year, focusing your efforts on preventing loss is critical to protecting your bottom line. So, how do you deter theft when the construction sites are prime targets? Remove the opportunities thieves see.

Be present.

Absence makes thieves’ hearts grow fonder. Whether the threat is from your employees and contractors, or from outside your company, your presence makes the difference. Being on site shows that you care about what’s happening on a day-to-day basis, giving would-be thieves a clear message that you are in tune with site activities.

Keep good records.

At the risk of stating the obvious, keeping inventory helps you know what has been taken. It also helps you manage supplies deliveries so you can order on an as-needed basis. You can minimize what is stored on site that might attract thieves.

Secure your equipment.

Construction companies love the convenience of universal keys. Thieves love them too. You have options for securing your equipment.

• RFID chips, GPS tracking with real-time notification, and anti-theft systems aid in prevention and recovery.
• Consider implementing a simple ID system for your tools and equipment. Establish a checkout process and securely lock tools when they are not in use.
• Immobilize heavy equipment with anti-theft devices and lock oil and gas tank cups to deter vandalism.
• The National Equipment Registry’s (NER) HELPtech service, provides equipment owners and law enforcement with a tool to track down, and hopefully recover, stolen equipment. Many insurers offer incentives, such as deductible waivers, for equipment with HELPtech.

Secure your site.

Whether you go low tech, or high tech, your goal is to frustrate thieves and put up as many barriers as possible.

• Lighting, fencing, and signage are traditional, and still relevant, components of a secure site strategy, especially during nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Geo-fencing provides a virtual geographic boundary using GPS and RFID technology. It can be implemented site wide or deployed within a specified area.
• Video surveillance is used to monitor construction sites and provide a record of all activity 24/7. Cameras alone act as a deterrent. Video verifies alarm conditions, for faster response time, and allows you to remotely audit your site(s).

Many options are available to help you keep your job site secure. Learn more about Check Video’s Construction Sentry video surveillance solutions.