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| Fighting Construction Theft
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On-Site Backfill Newsletter
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Media article
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Rosie Lucifero
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2/16/2004
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Construction-theft losses mean not only increased overhead, operating, security and insurance costs, but also scheduling hurdles and lost man-hours of production. Insurance claims represent more than $46 million a year. Job sites are particularly vulnerable to pilferage — both by on-site workers and by criminals who recognize an easy opportunity.
How can anybody go off with equipment this size and not be caught? It''s big. It''s visible. And often it''s out in the open for all to see. However, it is in almost constant motion, often unattended with the key sitting in the ignition and always being moved from one site to the next, sometimes with little knowledge of who is in charge of it.
A key factor is the time between a theft and its discovery. A construction equipment theft on Friday night often isn’t discovered until Monday morning – and companies with equipment on several sites might not discover a theft for weeks or months. That gives thieves lots of time to cover their tracks.
Contractors must become proactive in their fight against theft and take the necessary preventative steps to ensure that their equipment is secured on site. That includes making all people involved practice theft deterrence.
Here are some tips on reducing the risk of theft.
- Keep the site well-lit
- Control access to the site
- Use security tactics to scare thieves away
- Develop a job-site security plan
- Have a security firm or employees visit the site on regular intervals
- Paint heavy equipment in a different color to make it more visible
- Remove keys from all unattended equipment
- Change the turrets and ensure that key management is secure
- Immobilize equipment, remove rotors, batteries, etc
- Use duplicate serial numbers — one hidden, one obvious
- Get employees involved and responsible for security
- Keep accurate inventory
- Make one person responsible for signing for key deliveries
- Keep inventory of materials to a minimum
- Install a cellular tracking device on equipment
- Bring valuable pieces of equipment to a secure area on weekends
- Advise the stolen-vehicle tracking service as soon as possible after the disappearance of the equipment
The construction industry and insurers should emphasize to manufacturers that better ways of securing these expensive pieces of equipment are required. Give them an incentive to do more about theft.
Strong preventive measures coupled with the installation of a vehicle tracking device will go a long way to reduce theft and thus reduce the pressures on insurance rates.
http://www.bizlink.com/enewsletters/hcn/2004/hcn2_feb16.html#feature
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| Boomerang
Tracking Inc. markets and distributes the Boomerang®
tracking devices, proprietary products using technology
patented by the Company. The Boomerang, Boomerang2™
and GSM-based units are the central devices in
a system that uses the wireless networks of major
regional telecommunications companies for tracking
stolen assets. The Boomerang Tracking System is
capable of locating stolen automobiles, heavy
equipment and valuable assets. As a result of
its success, the Company has received the endorsement
of members of the insurance industry. The Boomerang
devices are available and installed through a
network of authorized dealers in Quebec and Ontario.
The Company's head office, research and development
centre and manufacturing facilities are located
in Montreal, Quebec, with regional facilities
located in Mississauga, Ontario. Boomerang Tracking is a wholly owned subsidiary of LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ:LOJN). |
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