Securing a Construction Site Stats and Facts

FACTS

Some Facts You May Not Be Aware Of: 

  1. Theft is the largest overall crime experienced on construction sites; an amazingly high 92% of construction industry professionals experienced thefts at least yearly if not more frequently according to a survey conducted a few years ago.
  2. Another remarkable (and worrying) statistic is that over half of thefts are committed by site employees or contractors.
  3. Some Common Mistakes Affecting Good Security:
    • Not enforcing ID policy – sometimes even though ID badges are mandatory, some personnel are allowed access without the necessary accreditation.
    • Not securing entrances and exits – a basic security measure especially when various entry points are used and temporarily created such as, for example, fencing being moved aside to allow a large machine access to the site.
  1. Unfortunately, procedures are sometimes very lax and recognised entry points don’t observe high enough standards of construction site security in having CCTV covering them. 
  2. Filming of people by CCTV is a form of personal data so those likely to be filmed should be warned. This is accomplished by clearly worded signage and, because warnings usually appear in areas where CCTV is in use, is likely happening at most sites.
  3. Monitoring activity and controlling site access are two ways in which good Health and Safety can be implemented and monitored so CCTV and access control systems – part of site security – play an important part.

STATS

  • One in five worker deaths annually is in construction. [OSHA]
  • Workplace fatalities that were crane-related fell to their lowest level recorded in 2017 with 33 deaths. [BLS]
  • Construction workers accounted for 1008 (47 percent) of all fatal work injuries in 2018. [BLS]
  • Construction sees the most fatal falls, accounting for 51 percent of all falls in the United States. [CDC]
  • During a 45-year career, there is a 1 in 200 chance that a construction worker will die from a work-related incident. [Safety & Health Magazine]
  • One in every 10 construction workers is injured annually. [OSHA]
  • Around half of serious workplace injuries go unreported each year.
  • Lifting, using a tool or machine, and carrying heavy objects are the leading causes of strain injuries in construction.
  • Workers who are between the ages of 35 – 34 are the most likely to be injured while working in construction. [National Safety Council]