How Superintendents Can Minimize Jobsite Theft: 5 Tips to Protect Tools, Equipment on your Watch

By Sean Clements

Chances are, if you’ve been in the business a while, you’ve already experienced theft at a jobsite. Whether it was a tractor or a fork lift, theft of a piece of important equipment can bring a whole job to a standstill.

But the real cost of that theft isn’t just the cost of purchasing a new piece of equipment. It might be the cost of renting one first because it’s more readily available – and then buying one later on. It’s the cost of lost time, leading to project delays down the road. It’s the cost of paying for additional man-hours of work or increased insurance premiums due to claims. And it’s the cost of your company’s reputation, when the work isn’t done according to expectations.

Although exact numbers are hard to come by, the National Equipment Register estimates the cost of tool and equipment theft from jobsites costs anywhere from $300 million to $1 billion annually.^[1] This type of theft includes anything that will fit in a pickup truck, whether it’s supplies like copper wiring and metal roof tiles or expensive electronics such as 3D measurement systems or power tools. Some criminals have even been able to steal large equipment that typically comes with a six-figure price tag.

Recent circumstances haven’t helped. Securing jobsites was challenging last year when jobsites were shut down without warning at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, when construction companies and contractors couldn’t follow their usual end-of-project processes. This year, with materials shortages and the related rising costs of supplies, including lumber and copper, it’s even more important to continue to protect the sites. Roughly 90% of builders are reporting shortages of appliances, windows and doors for new homes.^[2] And lumber thefts are on the rise, with thousands of dollars of wood going missing from Colorado to Florida.^[3]

With hundreds of thousands of dollars of supplies and equipment stored onsite – and construction companies and contractors relying on these supplies and equipment to do their jobs – the challenge is to find the right way to protect the jobsite. The following are simple tricks in order to minimize jobsite theft on your watch.

Permanently identify and inventory tools and equipment

The company name should be found on everything, from smaller hand tools to heavy equipment. Don’t forget to label attachments and removable parts, as well. It’s a good idea to use special labeling equipment, such as welders or etching tools, to make the identification hard to remove. Consider microdot identification technology, a method of labeling that involves etching a series of tiny invisible dots onto a piece of equipment that show up under special lighting or magnification, for pieces that are especially valuable. Finally, keep a record of what’s onsite to make it easier to identify and recover missing equipment and tools.

The more security, the better

Layers of security will deter many criminals looking for an easy target. Start with locked doors and a fence around the whole site, and limit the number of access points to the site. Ensure there is enough lighting, especially at night, and consider whether certain areas need additional lighting. Hang signs that warn of onsite surveillance and trespassing penalties. Depending on the location, hiring guards may seem expensive but can be a cost-effective security measure.

Think technology

Consider all the ways technology can enhance security onsite – and embrace them. The obvious starting point is motion-activated camera systems that can monitor all angles and points of entry. Today, automated notifications from the motion sensors can provide alerts in real time without having a guard onsite 24/7. Although many people are wary of a comprehensive high-tech system with its large price tag, there are also inexpensive measures that rely on a mobile phone or Wi-Fi.

On larger construction sites, Internet of Things solutions should be considered carefully, despite the steeper price tag. They combine lighting, monitors and alarms to protect equipment – and can also identify other risks, such as fire and flooding. It takes only a few strategically placed sensors to provide a huge benefit to the entire site. Finally, a small, hidden GPS tracker can be installed on small items that can be easily stolen. Just make sure the tracker won’t be easily located and disabled.

Limit the mobility factor

Pay special attention to anything that fits in the bed of a pickup truck. It’s a good idea to lock these items inside the building envelope or another secured box onsite. Anything with wheels that can be driven off should be hidden to make it less visible. Hydraulic locks and hidden disconnects are effective for some of the most commonly stolen equipment, including skid steer loaders and tractors.

Storage matters, too

Securing adequate storage is never a bad idea, especially if you can lock the pieces down and secure them properly. What’s more, a little common sense can be helpful as well: Identify an appropriate, safe location and require your crew to return keys and smaller, portable equipment to that spot, rather than allowing them to store everything onsite for convenience. It’s also a good idea to avoid a “universal” key, which can leave the whole site at risk in case of a theft.

Construction equipment will remain a target for thieves as long as there is a market for it. Taking proactive steps can go a long way toward making sure your site isn’t the next target. The final piece of the puzzle is raising awareness among everyone on the job, and how they can support the initiative by following protocols and helping to secure equipment before leaving at the end of the day.

^{[1] NER.net: “2016 Annual Theft Report” (2017).}

^{[2] https://eyeonhousing.org/2021/05/record-numbers-of-builders-report-material-shortages/}

^{[3] https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/two-more-lumber-robberies-reported-prices-peak}

Sean Clements is senior vice president for Commercial Lines at Hub International.