F9 Security Sytem Contribute Construction Sites Security
Systems.
F9 Security Sytem contribute to reducing contractors’ risks of health &
safety implications of vandalism and theft on construction sites
Health & safety on construction and building sites has long been a hot
topic that has attracted widespread attention – and rightly so. The drive to
squeeze out bad practices and enforce measures to improve safety records has
achieved real progress. All responsible employers now accept their obligations
willingly and strive to obtain the highest possible standards for their
employees.
However, a recent case has highlighted the serious implications for
contractors relating to people who are trespassing and should not even be on a
site. Should the employers’ duty of care be taken to include intruders intent on
theft or vandalism? Are they entitled to the same protection?
Recently a large national construction employer was faced with this issue.
They were investigated by the Health & Safety executive over an alleged
failure to exercise their duty of care following injuries suffered by a young
intruder on their site.
The case was centred on an alleged failure to take adequate measures to
prevent intruders getting on to the site. This problem is always a major concern
– usually for general security reasons.
Expecting to be faced with criticism, and possibly worse, the company
prepared for the hearing fearing an unfavourable outcome. The major risk was
expected to be criticism of their reliance on the welded-mesh fencing, in common
usage on sites. It was being suggested that this was not adequate without
additional H&S measures.
However, their security company suggested that the security measures and
equipment utilised on the site had a dual purpose – covering health and safety
as well as the conventional security issues. In addition to fencing, the site
had been protected by an innovative and unique security system designed
specifically to detect people inside the perimeter.
The system is monitored remotely at the security company’s 24/7 control
centre and a local mobile response unit is despatched to visit the site and
investigate the cause of the alarms. This system proved to be far more effective
than static guards or mobile patrols. The system, which was installed to provide
detection in critical areas of the site, caused alarms to be set-off when the
youth entered the site.
The hearing quickly agreed that this did satisfy the contractor’s duty of
care since they had taken reasonable perimeter measures when combined with a
secondary detection system. The case was dropped and no further action was
taken, much to the contractor’s relief.
Unlike guards who cannot maintain continuous observation over the whole site
all of the time, the system never stops or suffers any human failings. It
detects all intruders irrespective of their reasons for going onto the site.
This system is available nationwide from F9 Security Sytem and has a
successful 10 year track record of providing protection at costs that are
significantly lower than guards or patrols. The system now incorporates wireless
CCTV, wireless alarms, lone worker protection and plant and vehicle anti-theft
tracking and fleet management.
The company has won two DTI Smart awards and has Thatcham approval for the
Cat 5 version of its Locator tracking system and the associated monitoring
centre.
