Construction sites can be incredibly exciting and rewarding places to work and you’ll undoubtedly find yourself working alongside some incredible people. However, construction sites are often left vacant for hours at a time, particularly during the night, and with all the expensive tools and equipment you’ll find on a typical job site, it’s no wonder they’re a common target for criminals.
Theft is an issue that costs the UK construction industry a whopping £800 million a year through stolen assets and vandalism. Construction sites are bustling hubs of activity during the day and often empty at night, making them incredibly attractive targets for theft and while taking out builders’ insurance can offset some of the financial damage, it doesn’t prevent the inconvenience of theft.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common items thieves target and how you can prevent theft on your construction site before it becomes a serious problem.
Handheld Tools
Given their size and portability, small handheld tools are among the most frequently stolen items on construction sites, particularly sites based in high-traffic areas where passers-by can simply grab and go, so to speak. To prevent handheld tool theft, always secure your tools in locked storage when not in use and educate your team about the importance of keeping their tools safe. 78% of construction workers admit to leaving items in their vehicles overnight, making them easy targets for thieves so don’t be one of them!
Pieces of Lumber
Timber theft is another common issue on construction sites because timber is a surprisingly easy thing to steal and quite lucrative for thieves to sell. Thieves often make off with valuable pieces of lumber, leading to project delays and increased costs. To protect your lumber, keep thorough records of your lumber purchases and usage and always conduct background checks on employees to ensure trustworthiness, as it’s often disgruntled employees who are the ones making away with it.
Metals and Machinery
Valuable metals such as copper are often stolen and sold for profit. To prevent metal theft, secure all valuable metals in locked storage areas and install security cameras to deter potential thieves. While machinery is heavy and less likely to be stolen due to its size, meanwhile, it can still be targeted if left unattended, especially if the equipment has power. So, ensure all machines are properly secured when not in use and that adequate lighting and security measures are in place for night shifts. You should also keep a log of equipment usage and whereabouts.
The Mental Toll
Having valuable items stolen from your construction site not only negatively impacts your business but also the personal well-being of your workers. If, for example, a worker has borrowed an expensive tool from a colleague and left that tool out for it to be stolen, it can create a major conflict and damage the mental health of everyone involved.
This is why programs like Mates in Mind are working to address mental health within the construction industry. By promoting open conversations about mental health and providing support, the idea behind organisations like this is to create a safer and more supportive construction community for everyone involved. Because the construction site isn’t just a workplace; it’s a community.
