Construction Site Security
Each of the components of security listed below has its own subset. This book will focus on physical security countermeasures and how they can be applied to the construction job site. Security encompasses several components:
- Physical
- Personnel
- Investigations
- Awareness
- Information security
Physical security is the protection of people and things from harm by using such methods as intrusion detection, access control, and security officers. Physical security countermeasures are the measures used to safeguard personnel from harm. It also protects property from unauthorized access to equipment, installations, material, and documents and safeguards it against sabotage, damage, and theft. The main objective of physical security is to harden the target and make it unattractive for thieves and vandals to enter the site for fear of being caught. Target hardening will not deter those individuals who are highly motivated and determined to enter the site to steal or commit vandalism. If the target looks hardened, it will deter most thieves from feeling that there are easy pickings on the site so they will go to a place where there are no security countermeasures.
Physical security, in some cases, can be a delaying tactic to slow down an intruder in order to increase the possibility of being seen from outside the perimeter by patrolling security officers and/or police Most physical security countermeasures that are used in the private sector have their origins in the government defense and national security programs. Companies that do government contract work, especially defense or any work that is of a national nature, are required by the government to have a security program.
There are inspections (audits) of the company's facilities to ensure compliance with the security requirements. Part of the audit is a threat assessment to identify the vulnerabilities. Then, recommendations are made to address the vulnerabilities. The same scenario is used in other private sector companies. The government is not involved unless there is a national security reason, such as with the country’s infrastructure including the utility companies, water, electric, and/or rail transportation.
The general public perception is that physical security is guards, guns, and dogs. Nothing can be further from the truth. Physical security is more than the perception since it involves the employees of the company through the security awareness program and policies, as well other countermeasures like intrusion detection. The purpose of this book is to dispel the perception and present the
specifics involved in the securing of a construction job site.
Construction job sites present a unique set of issues when addressing physical security. Some of those issues are:
- The site is usually in a state of flux that is it constantly changing.
- The site perimeter is fenced by a temporary fence that will move as the site changes.
- A great deal of traffic entering the site during working hours
- Often, there are no clearly defined roles and duties for the security officers.
- Intrusion detection is hard to position for the perimeter because of the changing environment and the cost.
- Lighting is, at times, not adequate to deter would-be thieves from helping themselves to materials, equipment, and tools.
- Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems are usually designed with security in mind.
- They usually show progress of the project on a web cam.
- The cost of security: Who pays?
- Universal keys for starting heavy equipment
- Job site trailers are easy targets for thieves.
DOWNLOAD :- HERE