Maintaining effective security on construction sites is critical for a successful project completion, as it prevents theft and vandalism, safeguards workers and nearby residents, and can mitigate legal liabilities and financial costs.
A variety of solutions can be implemented to secure construction sites, including perimeter fencing, access control, electronicsecurity, mobile patrols, and static guarding. Which solutions may be appropriate for a given construction site depends largely on the nature of the construction site, as well as its location.
It can be challenging to properly secure a site, as construction sites typically cover expansive areas, making it difficult to monitor and secure the entire area. Larger construction sites can be more vulnerable due to the high value of equipment present and their size, while smaller sites may not be targeted as frequently but often lack effective security measures, making them an easier target.
Along with the presence of unattended high-value equipment, materials, and tools, construction projects involve a great number of different subcontractors, vendors, and workers, with their access needing to be managed and compliance with security protocols ensured.
Furthermore, sites often need numerous access points to enable the smooth flow of workers and machinery, and these may undergo alterations over the course of construction and potentially become vulnerable to security breaches.
Unauthorised entry to a construction site can expose people to risks such as falls, injuries from protruding reinforcement bars, suffocation or crushing from collapsing material, and contact with hazardous substances.
Site managers must ensure sites are secured with consideration to the site-specific risks arising from unauthorised access, as well as how likely unauthorised access is to occur, the extent to which it cannot be prevented, and how to isolate hazards within the site.
The likelihood of unauthorised access occurring is affected by factors such as the site’s proximity to areas frequented by children, including schools, parks, and shopping precincts. Sites that are isolated or not visible from public roads are often targeted due to the reduced chance of detection.
On the other hand, construction sites in remote areas – or on a suburban street where the likelihood of access is minimal and risks are low – less comprehensive security solutions may be more appropriate.
In order to be deemed secure, a building site needs to have a security system that is sufficiently robust, such as a fence or other rigid structure, to prevent access.
Security breaches can result in legal and regulatory consequences, such as fines or even project shutdowns, while severe accidents can potentially lead to lawsuits and reputational damage.
In April, WorkSafe WA began a proactive inspection program around security issues on construction sites, with randomly-selected sites across both metropolitan and regional areas to be inspected over the following 12 months.
Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the proactive inspection program aimed to assist employers in the construction industry to fulfil their responsibilities for the health and safety of workers and others at their sites.
She said: “The primary goal of our proactive programs is to provide information and to collaboratively work towards a reduction in work-related injuries and illnesses in the industry sectors we target “However, if our inspectors find non-compliance with work health and safety legislation, they will take appropriate action that could include the issuing of verbal directions or notices requiring the situation to be remedied.”
Inspectors will examine the security measures in place at the selected sites to determine whether they are suitably secured against unauthorised access, and will also conduct general site inspections. These inspections will include checking for compliance with work health and safety laws, focusing on hazards around excavations; slips, trips and falls; temporary electrical installations; partially constructed structures; stored construction materials; and plant and equipment.
North added: “A wide range of safety issues may be present in the construction industry, and site security plays an important role in protecting the public from the hazards of a construction site. “It’s our aim to make employers fully aware of the risks and supply them with information on the measures that can be put into place to lessen those risks.
“Employers are encouraged to download the construction site security information sheet and checklist from the WorkSafe website in preparation for a possible inspection.”