If you have worked on or managed a construction site, then there is a strong chance you have worked on a site which has been subject to burglary. Construction is one of the industry’s worst hit by theft and vandalism in the UK and is estimated to lose £800 million every year because of criminal behaviour and activities.
Because of this it is vital to make use of construction security. Whether it is security fencing or manned guarding, it is vital to keep a site safe.
But what is the best option for security? In this article we’ll talk about the benefits of CCTV, and how it will not only improve the security of a construction site but also improve the revenue and productivity of a site as well.
Deterring thieves and vandals
Theft and vandalism are a serious problem for the construction industry – which is estimated to lose £800 million every year because of theft and vandalism.
Thieves are attracted by the massive number of raw materials and tools stored on a site. The large, open nature of construction sites makes them relatively easy to enter, allowing criminals to remove and steal material. Metal theft is a serious problem with copper, brass, steel, and aluminium being frequently stolen from construction sites. Not only is this expensive to replace but having to replace it significantly slows down work.
Another growing issue is fuel theft; much of the equipment on construction sites needs fuel and there are many vehicles as well. Fuel theft involves this being siphoned and taken, and this process often seriously damages fuel tanks.
The damage caused by thieves can be huge. Not only will it delay work, but it will increase insurance premiums.
Another major problem is vandalism; vandals frequently break into construction sites to damage equipment, property, and cause other issues. In the worst cases, they may even start fires. All this damage’s morale increases insurance premiums, and makes work much, much harder.
The best way to deal with thieves and vandals is CCTV. Criminals are aware if they are caught on camera there is a huge potential for them to be prosecuted. This means the physical presence of CCTV on a property alone is an amazing source of protection.
Lowering Insurance Costs
Insurance companies frequently reduce costs or even require clients to have CCTV. Why? Because CCTV offers a record of all that happens on a property – thieves for example can be caught on camera, and this information can be used to catch them. CCTV also helps to determine liability for accidents and disputes.
CCTV as such is a fantastic way to reduce insurance costs.
Archiving Accidents
While the construction industry only accounts for 5% of the British workforce, 27% of fatal accidents. Construction involves a huge amount of heavy equipment, trenching, digging, and other demanding activity which can easily see accidents occur. It is important that accidents are properly recorded so they can be avoided in the future. It is far easier to see what exactly went wrong if you have archived footage and how these events can be prevented in the future.
Improving Safety
CCTV is fantastic not only for reviewing accidents but preventing them in the first place.
CCTV can be placed in critical areas to monitor specific hazards – for example – fires. CCTV monitoring can spot the dangers before they can spread – allowing you to prevent disasters from occurring.
Encouraging Accountability
What are your site workers up to when you or a manager aren’t keeping an eye on them?
One of the biggest issues with a construction site is that it’s hard for you to keep track of everything going on. Construction sites are large, and with all the other responsibilities, it can be hard to keep track of everything going on. Relying on subordinates isn’t a solution either – as they often provide inaccurate reports. A site director simply cannot be everywhere at once – but a comprehensive CCTV system can – providing 24/7, round the clock coverage of the site.
Cameras can allow you to keep a close eye on workers without even being there – and encourage workers to be on their best behaviour and work as productively as possible.
Avoiding Disputes
Construction is a complex and demanding process and workers are in a stressful environment. Disagreements can happen, and these can prove expensive due to delays. With a recording of events, it’s much easier to cut down on these disputes and resolve them quickly – saving time, money, and effort.