How to Use: Walk the entire outside edge of the site at dawn or dusk—thieves scout at these times. Take photos from all four sides. Ask the foreman: “Who has keys? When was the last equipment count?” Mark High (gates open, no cameras), Medium (fenced but dark), or Low (full fence, lights, and tracking) risk. Theft costs over $1 billion each year (National Equipment Register 2025); one stolen $80,000 skid-steer can wipe out a policy savings. Focus on stop, spot, and slow down thieves.
THE BASICS: WHY SITES GET HIT
Construction sites are like open stores full of valuables: $300,000+ in tools and machines every night, no walls, dark corners.
Top Targets (National Roofing Contractors Association 2025):
- Copper wire and pipes – $5,000 per truckload
- Skid-steers and small excavators – $40,000–$120,000 each
- Tools and generators – $50,000 per trailer
- Lumber and heating units – easy to carry away
How Thieves Work:
- Scout on Monday → Steal Thursday/Friday → Gone by Saturday
- 70% are people who know the site (subcontractors, ex-workers) – National Equipment Register
Your Goal: Make this site harder, louder, and slower to rob than the next one.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
PERIMETER SECURITY CHECKLIST
Why Check: 9 out of 10 thefts start at fence gaps (National Insurance Crime Bureau).
- Fencing: 8-foot chain-link, no easy climb panels, no gaps wider than 4 inches
- Gates: locked with padlock or keypad, closed and latched after hours
- Signs: “24-Hour Video and GPS Tracking” every 100 feet
- Plants: trimmed back 3 feet from fence (no hiding spots)
- Ditch or berm: 2 feet deep around site (stops trucks from driving in)
EQUIPMENT & ASSET PROTECTION CHECKLIST
Why Check: 1 in 4 machines gets stolen each year (LoJack).
- Locks: keys taken out, fuel shut-off valves locked
- GPS trackers: on every item worth more than $10,000 (LoJack, Samsara)
- Anchoring: generators chained to concrete pads
- Tool trailers: hitch locks and wheel boots
- Inventory list: weekly photos of serial numbers, saved in cloud
LIGHTING & CAMERA CHECKLIST
Why Check: Good light cuts theft by 80% (Illuminating Engineering Society 2025).
- Lighting: at least 2 foot-candles on ground, motion-activated floodlights
- Cameras: 4K quality, 30-day cloud storage, night vision, full view
- Placement: high on poles (15 feet+), no dark corners
- Signs: “You Are on Camera” at every entrance
- Backup power: solar or battery for lights and recorder
ACCESS CONTROL & PEOPLE CHECKLIST
Why Check: 70% of thefts are by people who know the site (National Equipment Register).
- Sign-in sheet: badge system, photo ID for everyone
- Subcontractor checks: background review, no one works alone
- Key control: master log, no extra copies without record
- Delivery checks: match paperwork, scan driver ID
- Night guard: random walks or live video monitoring (Deep Sentinel)
EMERGENCY & RESPONSE CHECKLIST
Why Check: Fast alert gets 60% of stolen items back (LoJack).
- Alarm system: motion and fence sensors, calls police directly
- Response plan: 24-hour contact list, police arrive in 5 minutes
- Insurance add-on: scheduled equipment coverage with GPS rule
- After theft: report to National Crime Information Center within 1 hour, serial number database
QUESTIONS TO ASK FOREMAN
- “Who has gate codes or keys? How do you track them?”
- “Last equipment count—when and by whom?”
- “Any GPS or cameras? Can I see the live view?”
- “Ever had a theft or close call? What did you change?”
- “Night lighting—does it reach the back of the lot?”
RISK LEVELS
- High = Open gates, no cameras, tools left out → Suggest attention immediately, fix now
- Medium = Fenced but dark, GPS on big items only → Add lights and count weekly
- Low = Full fence, tracked items, live cameras → Best practice
LCA Certified Inspector “Lock it. Light it. Track it.”
Resources:
- National Equipment Register Theft Report 2025
- National Insurance Crime Bureau Construction Guide
- LoJack Recovery Statistics
- Illuminating Engineering Society Security Lighting
Disclosure: This guide highlights common risks but is not exhaustive. Always verify local codes and carrier guidelines.