Duties & Responsibilities of a Construction Site Security
The Duties & Responsibilities of a Construction Site Security Officer
Construction sites are highly vulnerable to criminal acts such as theft and vandalism. According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the National Equipment Register, losses from construction and farm equipment theft are estimated to total between $300 million and $1 billion each year, while the National Fire Protection Association reports that fires at construction sites cause $304 million in direct property damage annually.
Security officers serve in many pivotal roles on active construction and parking site locations. Their presence aids in the prevention of theft minimizes property damage, deters vandals, and promptly addresses unexpected events including fires or floods. Experienced security officers prevent trespassers from entering dangerous building sites; which, in turn, reduces the risk of compensation claims from serious injuries. While these are some of the more common duties and responsibilities of construction site security officers, they are far from the tasks only performed.
Security For Your Site
A mistake some construction companies make is to underestimate the value of having security for their site. Due to the nature of the business, construction sites are filled with potential hazards; from heavy machinery to costly construction materials, construction sites face a high level of risk each day on the job site. Having professional security officers on the premises not only provides safety but also prevents financial loss.
If you are still on the fence as to whether or not security guards can help you, consider these reasons why successful construction operations choose security guards to protect their assets.
Here are some of the more common duties performed by a construction site security officer:
Patrol For Intruders
On-site security officers are highly effective on construction sites as they are clearly visible to potential intruders and act as a deterrent to crime. Burglars, vandals, and other unwanted intruders are far less likely to enter a construction site if there is a uniformed officer in plain sight. Security officers are trained to be alert and highly vigilant. They are often able to spot suspicious behavior, know to quickly and accurately interpret what they see, and react accordingly.
Prevent Theft and Vandalism
Theft and vandalism are some of the most common crimes that occur on construction sites. Construction sites house a variety of expensive equipment and tools, including construction trailers, specialized machinery, and cutting-edge tools. It may be impractical for these items to be brought to another location for storage at the end of each working day, so they are often kept on the premises, where they are vulnerable to theft.
Then, vandalism, with broken windows, graffiti, and destruction among the more common ways construction sites are damaged. Vandalism can slow down the construction project and create a significant financial loss. Construction site security officers who patrol the premises can deter vandals and keep the project on track.
Security officers help prevent these crimes from occurring by acting quickly in a dangerous situations. A security officer will continually observe the ongoings within a construction site and report any suspicious activity. If a problem does arise with a thief, vandal or trespasser, a security officer will follow a procedure to safely deal with the issue and call for assistance if necessary.
Log In Those Coming In And Out of The Site
Construction security officers are often stationed at the entrance of a construction site so that they can effectively survey who comes in and out throughout the day. A typical construction site may see dozens of people per day. From construction crew members and architects to supervisors and engineers, it can be difficult to determine if the people entering a construction site are meant to be there. A security officer can take names at the entrance and direct workers and guests where to go.
Monitor Video Surveillance
Many construction sites have cameras set up throughout the premises to keep an eye on things; however, without someone continually monitoring these cameras, it can be easy to miss important situations. A construction company may hire a security officer to monitor video surveillance both during the day when construction is active and at night when the risk of theft and vandalism increases. Video footage may also serve as evidence in a criminal case if theft or destruction should occur on the construction site.
Ensure Safety of Employees and Project
Construction projects are generally under a strict deadline and employees must stick to a schedule to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. Various stages of production on a construction site could put employee safety at risk and negatively impact a project’s production timeline.
Security officers’ capabilities and one of the most important responsibilities is to help keep employees safe and to protect the project from events and activities that could cause costly delays, they extend beyond keeping the site secure; they can also ensure the safety of everyone on the premises. Many officers are trained in first aid and can provide potentially life-saving assistance to people who are injured on a construction site until first responders arrive on the scene.
They also serve as valuable witnesses should someone be injured on the job site, which can protect the site management in the event of a lawsuit.
Security officers who specialize in protecting construction sites are trained to identify potential safety hazards, allowing those issues to be corrected before they lead to damage or injury.
To Reduce Liabilities
Hiring security officers for a construction site is a good investment for the reduction of risk from potentially costly liabilities.
If an individual is injured on the construction site or becomes ill in connection with their work there, the owner could be responsible for the resulting damages.
Security officers who monitor the site can prevent incidents that may lead to liability. In some cases, it may be possible to receive a discount on insurance premiums for using security officers.
Save you time and money.
As a manager of a construction site, you are responsible for bringing the job in on budget and on time. While you may initially hesitate to hire construction site security guards due to the added cost to your bottom line, think about all the time, money, and hassle you will save. Theft or destruction of even one piece of heavy equipment could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Repairing vandalized structures could cost you in materials and labor.
By having a professional team of security guards on-site, you can avoid these unnecessary costs and keep your workers feeling safe. At All Florida Security, we provide dedicated guards to protect and secure your construction site at rates that are fair. We proudly serve sites across the nation by offering the leading security services for construction sites of any size.
Do you have questions about hiring security guards for your construction site? Contact All Florida Security Services today at 772-595-5335 or check us out at www.securityinflorida.com. Our team is ready to help you choose the best security solutions for your unique needs.