Nerves of STEAL

Take steps to make jobsite theft more difficult. Here’s how.

In spite of its high occurrence, jobsite theft and vandalism hasn’t been studied in much depth. Robert Berg, a graduate student at the Graduate School of the University of Florida, set out to change that with an in-depth survey of more than 100 commercial and specialty trade contractors in 2003. He reveals statistics that will likely make you think twice about your security efforts and found gems of advice from contractors, security and insurance companies that can help you reduce jobsite theft.

Here’s what his survey found:
• Firms engaging in all types of projects are susceptible to theft and vandalism, but theft and vandalism is more costly to small to medium-sized firms (less than $100 million annual volume of construction work) than larger firms.

• Larger firms use more measures to combat theft and vandalism.

“Security considerations are an often-ignored facet of commercial construction projects. Losses from theft and vandalism on construction sites have been increasing dramatically over the past decade and reliable estimates peg annual losses in the billions of dollars,” he says.

According to FBI statistics, Berg reports, jobsite location is a big risk factor: the three hottest areas for construction equipment theft are New Jersey, Miami and Southern California, accounting for more than half of the recoveries of equipment in 2002. In 70 percent of the cases, equipment never left the area and was found stored on or near a local jobsite.

“Many contractors feel that the best way to help control jobsite theft and vandalism is to develop a thorough jobsite anti-theft plan before starting work. The first step is to develop a sensible, written security plan,” Berg says. He reports the Associated General Contractors (AGC) suggests its members take the following actions to minimize jobsite security risks:

• Visit the site after dark. Added lighting can help reduce theft.

• Place tool storage in a highly visible area so anyone can report unusual activity. Alert neighbors, nearby businesses and law enforcement to watch for unusual activities. Provide a contact to call if they see suspicious activity.

• Install effective perimeter fencing and check/maintain it at least weekly. Close fences and use locks during the day. Develop a key control system and use it.

• Inventory tools and equipment, including their model and serial numbers, and ensure all items are marked with the company name and the drivers’ license number of the company principal.

• Develop a tool loan policy.

• Get employees involved. Be sure all tools and equipment are locked up at the end of each workday.

The AGC also suggests adding certain precautions over long holiday weekends:

• Start preparing on the Tuesday prior to a long weekend. Give tasks to employees and expect the site to be secured by midday Friday.

• Remove expensive equipment from the site and remove vehicle and equipment batteries.

• Install theft prevention devices to disable fuel, hydraulic, and electrical systems.

• Remove wheels from job trailers, compressors, and generators. Take the tongue off equipment (if removable) so it’s difficult to move.

• Remove or secure large supplies of metals, especially copper wire. If it must be left on site, spray paint it black, stack it where it is difficult to load, use a case-hardened chain to secure it, and surround it with heavy objects. If copper or aluminum has been recently installed, consider hiring a guard service.

• Park equipment in a camp-wagon style, heel to toe, with generators and compressors inside the circle.

• Post “No Trespassing” signs.

• Remove valuable items from the job trailer. Lock down computers and back up information on disks and store them away from the site.

• Consider having someone stay on the site over long weekends.

Sophisticated scams
Several contractors have fallen victim to costly scams where people claim to be employed by the company and order thousands of dollars of construction materials. They arrange for a delivery or pick-up, and when asked to sign for it, use a false name. Berg suggests these steps to prevent scammers from stealing from your company:

• Check invoices to make sure all charges are authorized.

• Establish clear policies about purchases. Specific employees should be authorized for purchases and vendors should know who is authorized to make purchases for the company. Ask vendors to require identification and provide a contact they can call if they question a purchase.

• Do not carry purchase order books or forms in vehicles. They are too easy for thieves to steal or see your numbering sequence and account numbers.

Look within
“Research shows that most theft and vandalism is done by individuals familiar with the jobsite. Some employees may think, ‘The contractor leaves all these tools and equipment unprotected because they are so rich. Obviously they don’t care and, besides, I need a new drill at home,’” he says.

Professional thieves
Organized crime has been cited as a source of construction equipment theft. They are generally sophisticated groups with a ready-made market. “They know which pieces of equipment are most in demand and lucrative on the black market,” Berg says. “Typically, thieves will not attempt a theft from a jobsite if they cannot enter, load the products and be away within five or 10 minutes,” says Berg.

Office equipment theft from jobsite offices has been on the rise. Fax machines, computers, copiers and telephones are most popular. Position the site or office trailer in an area with limited access, yet high visibility to the public. Expensive office equipment should be well-marked with indelible markings.

Information in the job trailer may also be a target. Valuable business information, such as payroll figures, work schedules, future ventures or anything that could undermine a company’s strategy if it was lost or stolen should be protected.

Report it
Reporting theft is an important step in controlling it. “It helps everyone involved, as well as potential victims, when local law enforcement is aware of theft or vandalism. It also helps them assist in locating the stolen equipment.

“If you believe someone is selling stolen property, call the authorities. My research has revealed that becoming proactive in securing a jobsite will result in crime becoming a minor nuisance instead of a major problem that has the potential of draining profits from an otherwise successful project,” he says

This article was published in the May/June 2007  issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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