August 21st, 2023

The Ultimate Way To Secure Your Tools On Work Sites.

Theft at work sites has long been on the rise, owing to critical supply chain hurdles and an uptick in prices. In fact, according to a report by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the construction industry incurs up to £400m in losses annually from theft and vandalism. And given that most tool theft instances are barely reported, it is believed that a more accurate figure could be way higher. Insane, right?

With that in mind, any contractor must ensure maximum secure tools and equipment at their work site. After all, losing crucial materials may disrupt the timeline, drag different stakeholders’ schedules, and possibly sabotage the project’s overall success. And let’s not even get started on the reputation damage it would cost you—who wants to work with a contractor who can’t secure their work site?

From the insights above, investing in preventive ways to minimize tool theft is worthwhile. To help you achieve that, here are a few tips worth checking out.

• Consider Smart Delivery Scheduling

Unmonitored industrial tools and supplies are more susceptible to theft, especially if they are delivered and left unsecured for a while before being attended to.

Therefore, it would be best if these materials are brought in only when your team is on-site and ready to safeguard them. Doing so will reduce the time work tools and materials are left unmonitored.

Innovative delivery scheduling features in construction management software could help ensure that work tools and other resources are only delivered when your crew can receive them.

• Invest in Security Cameras

Camera systems are typically used as the foundation of comprehensive site surveillance systems. With the right system, you can remotely monitor your work site 24/7. It’s even better with smart camera systems, which boast enhanced security capabilities such as alarms, motion detection, digital zoom, night vision, and integration with different surveillance equipment and systems.

Moreover, some modern cameras can leverage AI to detect defocus—primarily for alarms triggered by motion blurriness, presumably from lens defocusing or tampering. Even when the cameras aren’t working correctly, these notifications help them to continue offering site protection.

• Leverage Alert/Alarm Systems

You may use alarms (with or without tracking devices and cameras) to offer extra security to your work site. Geo-fencing is a great example, which allows you to erect an undetectable electrical fence around the project location. Whenever the fence is breached as per the preset conditions, it sends out alerts.

For instance, it may alert management if unauthorized individuals enter the work area or if workers get off early. Similarly, some systems could trigger an alert when materials or equipment are taken from the site.

Geo-fencing and other cutting-edge technologies can be integrated into construction ERP platforms or more extensive materials tracking and management systems to enhance their effectiveness.

• Light Your Work Site

Darkness might be a thief’s best buddy since it may enable them to enter and leave the work site unseen. Keeping your job site well-lit might deter opportunistic burglars even when your job site is closed. Many theft cases on construction sites are driven by temptation—the crook spots a chance and seizes it.

However, by adequately illuminating your work site, you can make it difficult for them to march in and out with your tools.

• Install GPS Trackers on Your Tools.

With many companies manufacturing GPS tracking devices, there are plenty of options. Typically, these trackers are secured to your tools using rivets, screws, or epoxy. Anytime you discover your tools are gone, launch the app on your phone to locate them. 

Additionally, tool trackers are visual repellents. As soon as the burglars discover them on your tools, they will be more inclined to move on to another target, as they wouldn’t have the luxury of pulling the trackers off while they’re still at the crime scene. Plus, it’s foolish for them to risk being trailed as they flee back to their hideouts with the tools.

• Put-Up Warning Signs and Stickers

Invest in stickers and warning signs to inform criminals that alarm systems and GPS tracking systems safeguard your vehicles and tools and that the entire work site is monitored by video surveillance.

If your security appears too intimidating, burglars will opt to try and find another lower-risk opportunity.

• Carry Out Background Checks

Thieves entering your work site and making it away with your tools may look like the most common possibility of site theft. While that may be true to some degree, sometimes, if not often, tools and materials theft can be an inside job.

It’s easy to assume that your employees are trustworthy, in which case they mostly are. But for you to be sure, you might want to conduct a background check anytime you recruit one or two new faces.

• Store Your Tools Under Lock and Key

The first measure in deterring burglars is always having your tools locked up. Nobody can steal one or two of your tools and conceal them under their coat or in their pockets if they are securely kept away. Rather, the burglar would be forced to steal the entire box, which is much more difficult and riskier to do unnoticed.

Compact, portable toolboxes can be provided to your personnel for on-site use, while larger ones can be kept in your warehouse. To prevent theft, tell your employees to sign out and secure their assigned toolboxes at all times.

You may also leverage our security cages to safeguard your tools on-site. They come with various security features, including heavy-duty construction, security seals, and locks. Moreover, these cages have large castors for enhanced maneuverability and can be customized to your individual needs, such as adding tracking features, hinged shelves, and more.

Their versatility is also unmatched. Besides offering security storage in construction sites, they can also be utilized in pharmaceuticals, sports clubs, retail stores, and other industries. Lucky for you, we have everything from jumbo security roll cages to full security cages. So, contact us and get the best security cages for your work site today.