5 Tips for Keeping On-Site Equipment Safe from Theft

October 12, 2020
Trades

The theft of equipment, materials and heavy vehicles from a construction site or similar location is a pressing problem among Australian businesses. Reports show that more than AUD 51 million worth of plant equipment and heavy vehicles were stolen annually as recently as 2014.

Tradie’s insurance and similar financial fallbacks can help soften the blow of construction theft, but nothing beats prevention. Here are 5 tips you can use to beef up security in and around your construction site or similar location.

Assess All Security Risks

Before you can address problems, you first have to be aware of them. Conduct a thorough assessment of all security risks on site. Hire a professional to inspect every nook and cranny for possible threats to your equipment and other material.

Security risks can be simple lapses or glaring problems. For example, a hole in your perimeter fence is a simple risk, while malfunctioning CCTV cameras and blind spots are glaring problems. Spot these risks before they lead to thefts.

Light Up the Site

Criminals, vandals and other unsavoury individuals prefer to work under cover of darkness. This allows them to steal supplies and escape with vehicles undetected. Thus, you must install as many lights as is practical in and around your site. Floodlights are an ideal choice for your perimeter, but for interiors, any strong kind of light source will do.

Ensure that they are in good working order and that you replace them as soon as they burn out. Hook these lights up to backup power supplies to prevent them from going dark during power outages.

Defend the Perimeter

The best way to ensure criminals don’t make away with your things is to make sure they can’t access them in the first place. Good chain-link fences topped with razor wire are excellent installations, but they can be circumvented with a good pair of wire cutters. Additional perimeter defenses such as patrolling night watchmen work in good tandem with fences, ensuring no one is attempting to break into your site.

Limit Material Exposure Time

Vehicles and equipment aren’t the only things criminals might be interested in your site. Piles of construction supplies like steel bars and copper wiring can be tempting to those with ill-intent. Schedule your supply deliveries and material deposits to ensure they remain on the property for the shortest amount of time possible.  This makes it less likely that you will have a tempting stockpile for criminals to steal.

Invest in Deterrents

If criminals are intimidated enough by security measures, they might not try stealing from you in the first place. Deterrents such as night watchmen with canine companions, floodlights, signages proclaiming trespassers will be persecuted all build up a psychological aversion to stealing from you. By projecting an image of invulnerability, you can protect your property more efficiently.

Property loss can be a massive problem if you don’t take the proper precautions. Defending your property from would-be thieves is one way to prevent loss. But just to be on the safe side, you should also be considering  reliable business insurance.

Insurance You Can Trust

IMAR Insurance provides much-needed reliable coverage for builders, tradies and businesses. As a trusted insurance provider for more than 30 years, you can rest assured that when you partner with us, we’ve got your back.

Speak to our experts today for assistance.

To the extent that any material on this page may be considered advice, it does not take into account your objectives, needs or financial situation. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you and review any relevant Product Disclosure Statement and policy wording before taking out an insurance policy.

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