While construction site theft is not the most common type of theft, it is one of the most costly. Contractors are regularly losing building materials, tools and expensive equipment. Because of the nature of construction work, sites are especially vulnerable to pilferage, both by on-site workers and by criminals who recognize an easy opportunity. A builder's options are limited, but there are some steps you can take to make your site more theft resistant.

1. Human and organizational measures

• Background and reference checks on all workers allowed on the site.
  

• Zero tolerance of alcohol or other drugs on the work site.
  

• Positive relations with workers to undermine any sense of "entitlement."
  

• Positive relations with neighboring residents and businesses. Neighbors are your eyes and ears. (Suggestion: helping them with minor home repairs can be an excellent security investment on your part!)
  

• Neighbors armed with information about who should have site access, as well as your home phone number.
  

• Contractors working in an area communicate with each other about problem people and incidents.
  

• Workers communicate with each other about threats and suspicious activities.
  

• Security guards can also be very effective.
  

• On-site caretakers can be very effective.

2. Mechanical and environmental design measures

• Your individual business’s history of recurring problems should be considered in designing security measures.
  

• In making your security plans, consider how much you’ve got to lose. The greater the value and vulnerability of your equipment, the greater your investment in security should be.
  

• Political aspects of the project should be considered in designing security measures. Is there anything controversial about the project?
  

• The history of crime problems in the geographic area should be considered in designing security measures. For example, do neighboring businesses have barred windows or paid security guards?

Surveillance

• Where can intruders hide?

• Where can equipment be hidden for later retrieval by thieves?

• Natural surveillance can be enhanced by clearing lines of sight. Do construction materials, fences, vehicles, shrubbery, weeds, dirt piles, etc. provide cover for criminals?

• Mechanical surveillance can be enhanced with shielded security and/or motion response lighting. Usefulness is relative to the presence and cooperation of neighbors. Security cameras can be installed on-site temporarily. Videotapes can be in a highly secure location on-site, or can be transmitted over phone lines to a central facility.

Access control

• Is identification required to enter the work site?
  

• Are tools signed in and out?
  

• Does anyone check vehicles and contents leaving the site?
  

• Are fences installed? How secure are they? What type of padlock is used?

• Do too many people know where you keep keys to heavy equipment or storage sheds?

• Are keys left on site?

• Is a cash box left on site?

• Are combinations changed when someone is discharged?

• Are alarms installed? Monitored or internal? Silent or audible? Motion, heat or contact initiated? Who responds? Would responding police know who to call in the middle of the night?

 Territoriality

• Are there any controls over who enters and leaves the site?

• Does anything reinforce your ownership of the site: e.g., signs, badges, uniforms.

• Are questionable visitors challenged?

• Can anyone "bring guests" if they want to?

• Is graffiti showing up on the site? If so, what are you doing about it? It should be painted over or removed immediately.

• Is there a caretaker on site?

• Is property marked for easy ownership identification?