Sean Toohey
Special to Canadian and Design Construction writer
The Canadian construction industry is a major economic driver, with the industry employing over 1.6 million people and contributing around $162 billion to the economy in a typical year.
To support workers and make sure projects are completed safely and efficiently, construction leaders leverage a wide range of smart technologies and equipment designed specifically for the industry. However, these valuable assets often draw the attention of organized criminals.
Reports suggest that over 90% of construction companies experience theft at least once per year, leading many site managers to explore practical ways to safeguard critical equipment. Here’s how construction sites can prevent theft and vandalism using smart security solutions.
Theft and vandalism have significant impacts on the Canadian construction industry, with unaddressed incidents causing serious problems like unplanned downtime, severe financial losses and, in some cases, endangering the safety and security of construction employees.
Construction theft and vandalism are growing problems, with contemporary data suggesting:
- Theft impacts 63% of firms every month and 21% every week.
- $46 million worth of construction equipment is stolen each year in Canada.
- $15 to $20 million worth of equipment is stolen each year in Ontario alone.
- Vehicle theft costs an average of $25.900 per incident ($1,600 for tool theft).
- Only 21% of stolen construction equipment is ever recovered.
With around 70% of reported incidents of theft said to occur at sites with poor or no security measures in operation, efforts to improve on-site protective measures must be prioritized by construction teams, spanning both intelligent organizational and technology-based solutions.
Smart security measures for modern construction sites
To effectively and continuously safeguard people and property, leaders must build bespoke construction site security systems. By ensuring key areas are covered by practical security solutions at all times, site managers can deter, address and mitigate common security risks.
Perimeter security is the first line of defence against unauthorized intrusions. Smart security systems combine traditional measures like fences and barriers with intelligent technologies like IoT sensors to both prevent intrusions and warn security leaders of suspicious activities.
IoT sound, motion and pressure sensors can be installed along perimeters and programmed to warn operators remotely of anomalous events. When linked to wider devices like cameras and alarms, sensors can be used to trigger automatic responses to common security threats.
Smart video security systems
Video security cameras help to both deter criminality and enable site managers to observe high-risks areas 24/7. Research suggests that security cameras, in combination with wider measures like perimeter fencing and lighting, can help to reduce crime rates by almost 35%.
Smart security cameras with AI-driven analytics can help leaders to identify specific threats autonomously. Modern cameras can identify threats like suspicious motion, loitering and the presence of unknown vehicles independently, then send instant alerts to security personnel.
Access control solutions
Smart access control systems restrict entry to high-risk areas and assets behind bespoke, traceable credentials. Leaders can install access readers at site entrances, internal entry points and vehicle cabin doors to help ensure only authorized individuals can gain access.
Different types of credentials can be used to secure low and high-risk areas to help maintain balance between security and convenience. Main entrances can be secured behind keycard or fob-based credentials, with additional biometric credentials used to secure high-risk areas.
Asset tracking technologies
Asset tracking technologies like RFID and IoT tags can be affixed to valuable equipment like tools and vehicles to provide real-time location updates to leaders. Research suggests these types of solutions can help site managers to recover stolen equipment up to 80% of the time.
In a smart construction security system, leaders can link asset trackers to wider devices like access systems, cameras and alarms, allowing teams to develop practical automations, e.g. gates lock, cameras flag footage and alarms sound if assets are moved without permission.
Cloud management platforms
Cloud-based management platforms enable site managers and security leaders to access and adjust wider physical security solutions remotely from any security smart device. Teams can receive real-time alerts warning of suspicious activities to allow for informed responses.
By connecting active CCTV, alarm, asset tracking and access systems within an integrated management system, operators can program site-specific, automated responses. Teams can prevent and combat theft and vandalism by ensuring all threats are immediately addressed.
Theft and vandalism are persistent and growing threats against the Canadian construction industry that the average company falls victim to at least twice per year. To help prevent the downtime and financial harm linked to these crimes, security system upgrades are required.
With support from smart security solutions like IoT sensors, AI security cameras, access systems and asset trackers, site managers can identify and address suspicious activity 24/7 and in real-time to help safeguard people and property from criminality and security threats.
Sean Toohey is a freelance journalist and digital media specialist with extensive experience covering news, developments and emerging trends in the commercial security industry. Currently focused on security technologies and data privacy, Sean’s work explores the adoption and impact of smart technologies like AI, the IoT and cloud computing on modern industries.
