Building Site Security
On–Site Security
To discourage theft, you can permanently mark your company's property for quick visual identification. The most common way of marking items is to use coloured paint. Some paints have additives to distinguish them from other paints. Stamping, etching, engraving, sandblast marking, acid pens or ultraviolet lacquer can also be used to permanently mark property.
The Utilities Plant Theft Scheme (UPTS) has a system which records details of members' stolen plant and equipment on computer. The scheme also runs periodic stock checks of hired plant and records the details. Any cross-matches are referred to the relevant companies for further enquiries and, if necessary, to the police for investigation. Computer reports on stolen and recovered plant are available to all members and the police. UPTS is divided into twelve regions throughout the country and its members also run their own local Plant Watch schemes.
A wider adoption of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) scheme could also help in combating plant theft, making machinery easily identifiable and undermining the lucrative second-hand stolen plant market. VINs are issued by the British Standards Institution.
Encourage everyone on site to mark all their tools and keep a list of all VINs as well as serial and engine numbers. This gives the police a better chance of getting them back if they are lost or stolen and it also prevents arguments over which tools belong to whom. Tools left on site overnight should be kept in locked security tool stores (using close-shackled padlocks).
It is your duty to report any suspicious behaviour. Such reports will always be investigated and information will be treated in strict confidence. It might be best to have a policy of always prosecuting thieves.
Theft and vandalism can lead to job losses. If it's on site, make sure it's in sight or safe!
In this section
Security checklist
- Lock up your tools
- Clearly mark all your property
- Remove ignition keys from plant
- Return keys to the site office
- Immobilise all plant when not in use
- Park all plant off the road
- Wear your security pass!
- Report suspicious behaviour
