How to Keep Your Construction Site Secure Over The Holidays

With extended periods of nighttime darkness and the added detriment of absent site workers, the holiday season presents ample opportunities for potential criminals looking to steal from construction sites. As businesses prepare to take a much-needed break over the holidays, owners are analyzing their construction site security and taking steps to ensure their site security strategy is up to par before workers leave for the break.  

The last thing any site owner wants to come back to on January 2nd is vandalism, equipment theft, or a security breach. How prepared is your construction site for the holiday season? Read on to find out.

Why Do Construction Sites Need Security Over the Holidays?

Construction site theft rises when workers are absent, and this issue is compounded during holiday closures. With sites shut down for up to two weeks at the end of the year, sites are at a serious risk of theft and vandalism. The combination of absent workers, reduced neighbourhood activity, and extended nighttime hours during winter creates optimal conditions for criminals and bad actors to commit crimes. 

What Risks Do Unprotected Construction Sites Face?

The high values of materials like copper, lumber, tools, and other construction equipment make unprotected sites targets for thieves. The price of lumber has increased an astonishing 300% since April 2020, and copper has almost doubled in the same period. To make matters worse, thefts are experiencing an upward trend across Canada. Stolen materials and damaged equipment can lead to expensive delays and costly replacements, which are the last problems any construction company wants to return to in the New Year. 

Does Every Construction Site Need On-Site Security Over the Holidays?

Sites in densely populated areas or neighbourhoods with a higher crime rate are more at risk than sites in more remote locations. For these higher-risk sites, an on-site security presence may be a necessity. However, all construction sites can benefit from security outside of working hours.

Next, we’ll cover tips your construction site can implement to maintain safety during the holiday break. 

1. Ensure All Construction Site CCTV Cameras Are Operational

Before leaving for the holidays, be sure that your CCTV cameras are operational, recording, and haven’t accidentally been moved from their areas of cover. A functional CCTV system acts as a visible deterrent and provides valuable evidence in case of incidents. Implementing signage stating that the site is monitored by CCTV cameras adds an additional layer of deterrence. 

Regularly checking CCTV cameras is a best practice, and monitoring your CCTV cameras is an essential security duty that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

2. Secure Your Construction Site’s Perimeter

The first line of defence for any construction site is a well-secured perimeter. Install sturdy fencing and confirm that all access points have working locks, including gates and entrances. Ensure your site and access points are well-lit at night, reducing the likelihood that criminals will break into your site. 

3. Lock Away Valuable Tools and Machinery

Ensure that valuable tools, machinery, and materials are stored securely. Double-check that machinery keys are accounted for and haven’t been left in the cab or ignition of any heavy machinery equipment. 

4. Perform a Security Audit

As part of your holiday security strategy, your security guard should perform a final sweep or audit to ensure that security measures are in place before staff leave for the break. They should double-check the operational status of site CCTV cameras, confirm the security of perimeter and access points, and ensure that site valuables and equipment are secure, as well as any other unique needs. 

Every construction site faces its own set of challenges, and it pays dividends to invest in a security team that can identify vulnerabilities and enforce a security strategy tailored to your site.

5. Invest In On-Site Security

An on-duty uniformed security guard is the ultimate deterrent for potential thieves and vandals, communicating in no uncertain terms that a site is well-guarded and monitored. 

For large-scale, high-value projects, having a security guard present on your site when workers are absent is essential. Criminals are more likely to target sites when staff and workers are absent, and deploying an on-site security guard can greatly mitigate that risk. 

How Security Guards Safeguard Construction Sites Over the Holidays

Construction site security guards conduct key duties that ensure the continued protection of construction sites during holiday closures. Here’s a breakdown of on-site security guard duties:

Site Foot Patrols

Uniformed security guards regularly patrol the perimeter of the construction site, inspecting fences, gates, and access points. They check that all entry points are properly secured and monitor closely for signs of tampering or attempted break-ins. 

Guards also look for maintenance and weather-related issues that could compromise the site’s perimeter, such as fallen trees, wind damage to fencing, and snow obstructions or piles. 

Checking CCTV Cameras and Lighting

Working CCTV cameras and lighting are essential during holiday breaks. Construction security guards will ensure the operationality of all cameras on the site, as well as floodlights and light fixtures. If any issues are found, guards will make a report and coordinate with maintenance and repair personnel to resolve them quickly. 

Equipment Protection

During holiday shutdowns, construction site security guards pay close attention to areas storing equipment and materials. Guards verify that all machinery is properly secured, storage containers are locked, and there are no signs of tampering. This is particularly important for sites storing copper wire, lumber, tools, and other high-value materials targeted by thieves.

Access Control

Even during shutdowns, some construction personnel may need to access the site. Security guards check the identification of anyone attempting to enter the site and maintain a comprehensive visitor log. This prevents unauthorized access while allowing legitimate site visitors to perform essential maintenance, emergency repairs, or overtime work duties. 

Reporting

Construction site security guards regularly maintain detailed reports of all patrols, maintenance issues, incidents, visitors, and site conditions throughout the holiday period. At Blackbird, we use TrackTik technology for real-time reporting from the field. By accessing the TrackTik portal, our clients have instant access to routes, reports, and incident information as security unfolds, allowing them to be as involved in security as they desire. This is especially beneficial during the holiday season when staff and management are absent from construction sites. 

Schedule Mobile Security Patrols

When an on-duty security guard is not an option due to budgetary limitations, mobile security patrols are a highly effective alternative. Mobile security guards perform patrols using a highly visible security vehicle on a randomized schedule, keeping potential criminals guessing. Remember, vandals and thieves are more likely to target construction sites that appear unmonitored.

During the holiday break, it’s incredibly beneficial to schedule mobile security visits to construction sites to ensure the property remains secure. In the unfortunate event of an incident, your site’s leadership will be alerted immediately by your mobile security guard who will submit a police report, if necessary. 

At Blackbird Security, mobile patrols are our most flexible security option. Mobile patrols can be scheduled as frequently or infrequently as desired, ensuring security regardless of budget. 

Partner With The Leading Construction Site Security Company In Canada

By combining construction site security best practices with a physical security presence through uniformed security guard patrols or mobile security patrols, site leadership can ensure safety and mitigate the risk of criminal activity over the holiday season. 

Learn more about how we can protect your construction site over the holidays by contacting us today.