PLANT MACHINERY & SITE SAFETY SECURING YOUR ASSETS
Protecting your assets is crucial to the success of any business. This is especially the case for those in the construction industry, classed as one of the most important for the world economy.
Theft and vandalism can cause significant financial losses and disrupt project timelines, so it's critical to implement effective physical security measures to keep plant machinery and construction sites safe.
By working with security specialists, construction managers can demonstrate an ability to identify, assess and manage site issues quickly and effectively to take action as required.
According to the Metropolitan Police: “The theft of heavy machinery is a considerable problem.”
This is supported by a recent industry survey suggesting many in the sector believe that machinery theft is more of a threat now than before the pandemic, and the issue is showing no sign of decline. Some statistics highlight that claims have been made for more than £800m worth of machinery, stolen in the UK every year.
Of course, it’s no surprise due to the vulnerability of construction. Plant machinery is hugely expensive, easy to sell for profit and, historically, has been difficult to track and recover. It is deemed as a relatively low gamble.
Online, social media has become abuzz with anecdotal accounts of plant and fuel theft, a shameful practice sadly already rife in the construction industry.
The industry is struggling to protect itself from criminal activity. And while theft has a detrimental effect on all size of business, given the knock on, it’s smaller to medium sized enterprises that face the biggest risk, often leaving them struggling to survive.
Many business minds are taking matters into their own hands to try and stop the thieves in their tracks, installing state-of-the-art security technology. But it's equally important not to forget the basics, even down to the padlock chosen to secure the assets on site.
BACK TO BASICS Physical security measures can help prevent theft,
damage, and unauthorised access to plant machinery and sites. These measures can include physical barriers, such as padlocks and locking mechanisms, as well as security cameras and alarms. They can also involve access control measures, such as ID cards and biometric systems.
The first step in improving physical security for plant machinery and site safety is to conduct a risk assessment. This involves identifying local potential
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Here, Claire Blakemore, Manging Director of Mul-T-Lock UK, highlights some back-to-basics approaches to physical security that can help safeguard plant machinery and construction sites and protect financial margins.
threats and vulnerabilities, such as the risk of theft, damage, known gangs or unauthorised access. Once potential threats have been identified, measures can be put in place to mitigate the risk.
PHYSICAL SECURITY The most cost-effective way forward is to recognise
the physical security needs of the site, where even the smallest details can make a big difference. One important aspect that is often overlooked is the type of padlock used to secure equipment, gates and other assets.
There are huge variations in padlocks, attributed to the value of the item it’s required to secure. This will influence weather resistance right down to the material it is made from. Brass is often used for outdoor applications as it is resistant to corrosion, while steel is a strong and more durable option that is suitable for high-security applications.
The key system of the padlock is another important consideration. Padlocks are available with various key systems, including keyed alike (keyed the same) and keyed different. Master keyed, which are keyed differently but can also be opened by a master key, which can be useful for security personnel.
“STATISTICS REVEAL THAT CLAIMS ARE MADE FOR IMORE THAN £800M WORTH OF MACHINERY, STOLEN IN THE UK EACH YEAR.”
Mul-T-Lock leads the way with its range of NE and NG range of padlocks, which are capable of functioning with high reliability in all conditions. Acting as a visual and very physical deterrent these provide excellent resistance against physical attacks, together with weather and other environmental conditions that can have an impact on performance, such as corrosion.
The NE and NG range is not only CEN Rated from 3 up to 6, but also Sold Secure Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond certified by the Master Locksmith Association. Cost-effective, yet offering the highest level possible in terms of security, these padlocks also meet EN 12320 standards.
Offering the ultimate solution is Mul-T-Lock’s Hasplock DIAMOND solution. Designed in a case- hardened steel structure, it offers a robust and burglar-resistant locking solution that allows for the padlock and hasp to be incorporated into one
www.tomorrowshs.com
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