An unsecured demolition site attracts theft and injury. At least $300 million of construction equipment and materials are stolen from construction job sites every year. In the last few years, high salvage prices and a weak economy have driven up thievery at temporary demolition sites. Leaving a demo site unsecured is akin to inviting in thieves. Moreover, if an accident should occur when an individual wanders into a demolition area, the demolition firm could be held liable for damages. Read on to discover how to protect a demolition site.
Demolition Services: How to Properly Secure A Job Site
Put Everything Away at the End of the Day. Tools, supplies, and equipment should be locked away at the end of each workday. Thieves will steal lumber, tools, and even scrap metal, so a daily clean-up procedure is a must for demolition contractors.
Erect a Fence with Warning Signs. A perimeter fence is standard for securing construction and demolition job sites. A chain link fence with a barbed wire around the top is especially effective, but at a minimum you should have a fence with a single entry/exit. Some demolition firms erect multiple layers of fencing; a second interior fence can be put up around the construction office, for instance.
Add Lighting. Exterior lighting deters thieves. On-site demo offices should definitely be well lit, as the computers and other equipment within can attract purloiners. Central areas should be illuminated with energy efficient lamps. Generator- and battery-powered lights are good; solar-powered lights are even better because they will work even during a power outage.
Install Video Surveillance. This is a gold standard for job site security. WiFi-enabled cameras can transmit security feeds to a remote location for convenience. As with many security systems, if something looks out of place, strobe lights and alarms can be triggered, and local authorities can be called in. Additionally, as in-house theft can be a problem on demolition sites, cameras allow managers to review the tape, and confirm or deny any suspicions about certain contractors’ sticky fingers.
Restrict Worker Access. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states in its publication Safety Requirements For Demolition Operations, “Only those employees necessary for the performance of the operations shall be permitted in these areas.” Demolition contractors must take care to secure various areas of the job site to allow only the appropriate worker access.
Additional options for securing a demolition job site include hiring a Security Guard, embedding GPS technology in equipment so it may be tracked, and frequently removing scrap piles.
Considering all the dangers on a demolition site, from sharp objects to radioactive gauges, it’s key for demolition firms to properly secure their sites, for their own bottom line and for public safety. As a leading Portland demolition firm, you can rest assured that Elder Demolition takes the time and caution necessary to effectively block off demolition sites.
[photo by: Ell Brown on Flickr via CC License]