Building sites are places with constant movement. With people coming and going at all times, keeping an eye on all the action on-site tends to get challenging. Plus, building sites are always the target of vandalism, making managing the area even more difficult.
Having a Construction Security Plan (CSP) is essential in dealing with the constant threats from trespassers and criminals. Measures like fencing, having building site security guards at access points, installing CCTV remote monitoring, and other solutions are a must.
Keep reading to learn how to craft a CSP for utmost safety and security.
What Does a Construction Security Plan Include?
The content of the CSP largely depends on the location, size and purpose of the premises. For that reason, every CSP varies from the other.
However, all CSPs include some basic information, such as:
- Information on the site location, project description, start and completion dates, and names of site owners and security manager
- Persons in charge of working with police
- Description of site security measures (guards, cameras, fencing, etc.)
- A list of all workers allowed on site.
What to Consider When Preparing a CSP
Creating security plans is a demanding but necessary job that needs to include as many details as possible. A well-prepared and well-thought-out plan will help you run the site efficiently and smoothly.
Here are some tips to remember when crafting a CSP:
Secure the Building Site Perimeter
It is simply impossible to be everywhere at the same time while keeping the whole perimeter secure. Install a perimeter fence to set clear boundaries, allowing you to store and keep all valuable tools, equipment, and supplies away from prying eyes.
Hire the Best Manager
A well-developed CSP is worth nothing if the person managing and enforcing it is not well-trained. A Site Security Manager should have a solid background in the field, maintain good team communication and coordination, and be a great leader overall.
The manager’s job will include:
- Security inspections
- Identifying possible violations of the CSP
- Communicating the said violations to the Accrediting Official.
Such heavy-duty management entails a person in charge that is highly trained, knows all the industry needs and secrets, and can be relied upon to resolve any conflict.
Hire Trained Security Guards
You can only have up-to-par site security if you hire security guards to check the building site. They should be highly-trained professionals who can deal with trespassers, vandals, and thieves. Regular night security patrols will prevent unauthorised entrance to the premises.
Assigning security guards at the access point will facilitate who enters and exits the site. They are also trained to watch the surveillance cameras and alert you about any on-site problems.
Install a Surveillance System
Installing a surveillance system allows for 24/7 monitoring of the site. Detecting unauthorised entrance by intruders becomes a breeze, allowing for an immediate reaction. Any illegal activities will be caught on camera, and the footage will help clear the air later.
Install Lights
Dark and unlit corners welcome vandals and thieves to building sites, granting them easy access to expensive machinery, equipment, and materials. Protecting a building site at night is hard, so installing bright lights will be helpful.
Lighting the site well at night makes it less attractive for trespassers. It also helps guards who are doing security patrols to have better visibility. A well-lit construction area will give security cameras a clear shot of any possible incident.
Don’t Over-secure the Building Site
Having more security doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for the site. When creating the CSP, consider what you truly need to secure the area.
More security means more money, which can drain your budget. Plan the size of the security team wisely and only spend on necessities.
Do an In-depth Risk and Security Analysis
When preparing the CSP, you should thoroughly analyse the security options and possibilities. Take a closer look at the risk assessment and include site control measures like identity verification, vehicle inspections, physical security barriers, and random searches.
Create Smart Delivery Schedules
Material lying around the site is tempting for thieves and takes up too much space on-site. Having a carefully-planned delivery schedule will ensure you only have items and tools delivered when you need them without leaving them out in the open for days.
Besides increasing the possibility of being stolen, leaving materials in the open creates a breeding ground for damages from bumping into them or dropping something on the items. Materials may also be damaged when left out in bad weather conditions.
Don’t Burden the CSP
The purpose of the Construction Security Plan is to include information on how to protect and secure the building site, meaning you have to implement security measures before and during construction.
Don’t overload the CSP with documents and details that are not useful for these phases of the project. It will only confuse the staff and create unnecessary work for the Site Security Manager. Keep things as simple as possible.
Provide Detailed Information
Everyone working on-site must be up to speed to achieve a fully-functioning building site project. Things will turn hectic as the project progresses, and it’s better to address everything sooner than later before it’s too late to fix some mistakes.
So, once the Accrediting Official approves the CSP, everyone involved in the process must know their duties – from day-to-day tasks to document handling and restrictions. Anyone that fails to comply with their assigned tasks will face the consequences.
Partner with All Time Security for Professional Building Site Security
When it comes to building site security, you’ll want to partner with experienced and highly skilled professionals – such as our team at All Time Security.
We offer high-level building site security and possess a deep understanding of all security-related products and technologies. Our highly-trained team will ensure your project is always running smoothly and nothing goes unnoticed.
Safeguarding building sites is what we do best. Contact us today, and place the security of your building site in only the most capable hands.