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10 Ways to Keep Your Jobsite Safe During Holiday Season

fleetnewsdaily | December 16, 2015

While the holiday season can bring a generous spirit of giving, it is also a time when theft and crime are on the rise.

In fact, one of the industries that is often hit the hardest is the construction sector. Theft and vandalism just within residential construction totals more than $1 billion annually. For those professional contractors that rely on their tools and equipment to get their jobs done, especially during the busy holiday season, it’s important to take safety precautions.

So, here are ten tips to keep tools and equipment safe this holiday season:

Signage: One of the number one and lowest-cost deterrents is adding a simple sign. Consider adding a sign that reads, “24 Hour Video Surveillance”. Another sign offering rewards to those who turn in thieves or provide valuable information on crimes is also a helpful deterrent.
Security Lighting: Set up extra lighting and/or motion-censored lights around the jobsite. Darkness invites crime so the more light you have, the better the protection.
Barrier Protection: Adding some type of barrier protection, like a fence or guardrail, makes it tougher for the bad guys to get in and to take your supplies out. Look for ways to keep the important items properly secured and protected with barriers.
Alarm System: Before leaving expensive equipment or tools on the jobsite, install an alarm system and/or security cameras. An average alarm system is less than $10 a week and offers 24 hour monitoring and protection.
Control Access to Your Jobsite: Having just one entry point in and out of your jobsite will cut down on crime. A popular trend right now is Geo- Fencing, a virtual barrier using GPS to track behaviors using mobile phones. This has been particularly helpful for payroll and inventory.
Neighboring Businesses: Ask neighboring businesses to watch your jobsite when you aren’t there. Businesses that watch out for one another and look for suspicious activity can be another preventative to crime.
Convenience Stealing: While you don’t want to believe your employees could ever steal from you, it’s important to take precautions before hiring. Take the time to perform background checks and previous employer references before hiring new employees. While it takes time to do the research in advance, it can save money and challenges in the future.
Jobsite Box Protection: Tools and equipment should be kept in a safe and secure location. With the extra security of a jobsite storage box, like the KNAACK® 4830-D, thieves will not have a chance of getting to your most valuable tools. Both weather and theft resistant, KNAACK boxes feature an integrated, three-point locking system that is designed to keep unwanted intruders from accessing the storage area. The solid, heavy-duty 16 gauge steel body construction and fully arc- welded seams provide durable security all day and night long. This particular model also provides a separate locking drawer so that the main box can remain open during the work day while valuables can be locked and stored below.
Use Common Sense: Use common sense to ensure that no tools or valuable equipment is left out in the open throughout the day, especially at lunch time, and after everyone goes home. Creating a check list of items to inventory at the close of business helps cut down on theft.
Documentation: Always photograph, document and record the serial numbers for your equipment, tools and material goods for insurance purposes, in the event that something is stolen. This will be extremely handy if you want to claim any stolen items with your insurance company.