Page 274 - Urban Construction Project Management

Security 229
SECURITY SYSTEMS

It is often wise to have a roaming guard on the site as well, who will walk the site peri-
odically, ensuring that everyone is wearing a proper ID badge, observe the working
conditions, and report any abnormal events to the CM/GC. The security guard can also
act as a fire watch off-hours, provided that they have had the proper training and are
licensed by the appropriate agencies. Security guards are often required to use a secu-
rity lock key system to ensure that they have made their rounds and visited all of the
critical spaces.

For a large project, consideration should also be given to utilizing closed circuit
television cameras to provide surveillance of the construction site 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. The cameras should be laid out and installed by a professional com-
pany to ensure adequate coverage of the site at all major points of entry and egress,
as well as central locations through which personnel and materials flow. These video
recordings should be kept in a permanent electronic file, in the event that an issue
develops.

Consideration should be given to supplying the security guard with a radio to be able
to communicate with the other security guards, construction mangers, etc. In addition,
the guard should be given an emergency contact list for police, fire, ambulance, hos-
pital and first aid station, all essential CM personnel, etc. (see Chapter 5 Exhibit 5-30).
The CM should also have an emergency contact list including the names and emer-
gency contact numbers for all major subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors working
on the site. A landline telephone is essential to have at the guard’s booth at the site.
The use of a mobile telephone may also be considered for the guard to allow for a more
timely response if there is an event in the building away from the guard’s booth.
Timely response and notification of an incident can make a substantial difference in
minimizing the implications of a situation.

Unauthorized personnel should be directed to the CM/GC’s office for access to the
sites. The guard or the site safety manager should also ensure that the person is wear-
ing proper clothing, such as shoes and a hardhat, before allowing access to the site. (See
Chapter 16, Exhibit 16-7A).

CONSTRUCTION SHANTIES AND FIELD OFFICES

The CM/GC’s site office and subcontractor shanties will be located in reasonable prox-
imity to the site entrance. However, they may be on an alternate floor in the building,
on the sidewalk bridge, retail space, etc. Consideration should be given to identifying a
controlled path for a visitor to take from the construction personnel entrance to ensure
that they do not go wandering aimlessly around the construction site.