No, the guys in the photo aren’t trying to get their 10,000 steps in before lunch.
They’re carrying out a security site survey at a large construction site in Bolton, and what happens during this walkaround can make a huge difference to the security service that follows.
Before we deploy an SIA-licensed security officer, we want to understand exactly what we are being asked to protect, where the risks are and what the officer is likely to encounter.
That means getting out on site rather than trying to understand everything from behind a desk.
So, what are we actually looking for?
A proper site survey means looking at the site through the eyes of someone who may want to gain unauthorised access.
We identify potential breach and access points, vulnerable sections of the perimeter, gates, fencing and areas that may require additional attention.
We look at the layout and assess where security officers should patrol, where checkpoints may be needed and which areas require particular monitoring.
On a construction site, we also need to understand what is actually worth protecting.
Plant, machinery, tools, materials, fuel, specialist equipment and other high-value assets can all present an attractive target for theft. Knowing where those assets are located helps us build a security plan around the real risks rather than simply putting a guard at the front gate and hoping for the best.
Security isn’t the only risk
Our survey also considers the environment our officers will be working in. Construction sites change constantly.
Vehicle movements, heavy machinery, excavations, temporary structures, poor lighting, restricted areas and other hazards all need to be understood before an officer starts work.
This allows us to identify relevant health and safety risks, establish safe patrol routes and make sure the officer receives appropriate site-specific instructions.
Then comes the boring bit, which is actually the important bit
Once the physical survey is complete, the information has to become part of the service.
Site requirements are documented, risks recorded and operational information incorporated into the instructions used by our security and control teams.
As an SIA Approved Contractor, our processes are structured around the requirements of the Approved Contractor Scheme, alongside our own operational procedures.
We also use our ISO 9001 quality-management framework to ensure important information isn’t simply discussed during a walkaround and then forgotten.
- It is recorded.
- It is communicated.
- And, importantly, it can be reviewed and improved.
Because security shouldn’t be a box-ticking exercise
There is a temptation in our industry to reduce security procurement to one question:
“What’s your cheapest hourly rate?”
We understand why cost matters. Every business has a budget.
But continually squeezing the service without looking at how it will actually be delivered creates a gradual race to the bottom.
The first things to disappear are often the things nobody notices immediately, proper surveys, planning, supervision, documented instructions and ongoing quality checks.
Until something goes wrong.
A security officer cannot be expected to properly protect a site if the security company deploying them has never taken the time to properly understand it.
For us, due diligence starts before the first shift begins.
We’re not here to criticise anyone
There are plenty of good security companies doing good work, and we’re certainly not interested in bad-mouthing competitors or trying to take somebody else’s contract.
We simply want businesses buying security services to know what good preparation should look like and what questions they should be asking their security provider.
If this article has made you think about the security arrangements at your own construction site, commercial property or development, we’re always happy to have a conversation.
No hard sell.
We’re happy to offer practical advice and arrange a free, no-obligation security site survey to help you understand your risks and the level of protection your site may actually need.
Because good security doesn’t start when the guard clocks in.
It starts with understanding the site. Contact us today to discuss your construction site security concerns.
