With hundreds of workers, contractors, and visitors coming and going each day, construction sites are often a hive of activity, and combined with all the machinery and equipment involved, it’s essential to ensure everyone’s safety and security.
When managing the daily operations of a construction site, the last thing you need to worry about is unauthorised personnel wandering onto the site, potentially endangering your team and the project itself.
One key question you need to ask yourself is: Are you confident that your current access management solution can keep your site secure while allowing for efficient movement in and out?
With numerous personnel to monitor and the constant risk of theft or accident, it’s crucial to have a reliable and secure system in place.
Recently, Parking Facilities attended UK Construction Week 2024 and conducted a survey to uncover the security challenges construction companies face.
Our findings reveal a pressing need for better solutions to manage access and enhance site security.
Our findings – security challenges on construction sites
Managing access
One of the greatest challenges construction site managers face is controlling access for the hundreds of personnel who enter and exit the site daily.
With 50% of surveyed participants admitting they do not use turnstiles, managing access manually becomes a complicated task, especially in emergencies where it’s critical to know exactly how many people are on site.
Additionally, without proper access management, construction sites are left vulnerable to unauthorised personnel gaining entry, increasing the risk of theft and potential safety issues.
Inductions and regulations
Another significant challenge 60% of respondents reported is the time wasted during the onboarding process.
Many contractors have to complete safety inductions and verify specific qualifications before being allowed access to the site. Participants mentioned that it can take up to an hour before a contractor is ready to begin work.
Smart Turnstiles can streamline this process by integrating contractor data and credentials, allowing faster and more secure onboarding while ensuring compliance with site regulations.
Multiple entry points
Managing access becomes even more difficult for larger construction sites with multiple entry points. Despite nearly half of the survey participants being satisfied with their current turnstile solution, the same percentage (46%) reported having had an intruder on site.
This points to a potential gap in site security, where unauthorised individuals might slip through unmonitored access points.
Smart Turnstiles with real-time monitoring and advanced security features, such as biometric scanning, can help secure multiple entry points while preventing unauthorised access.
Balancing security and convenience
While security is crucial, construction companies need to be able to balance this with ease of use.
29% of survey participants reported that their turnstiles lack additional security features like facial recognition or biometric scanning. These offer an effective solution, blending advanced security features with user-friendly systems, ensuring that site access is controlled without causing frustration or bottlenecks.
Handling emergencies
With potentially hundreds of workers, contractors and visitors on a construction site, access management systems are a crucial consideration when it comes to an emergency.
In the event of a fire or security breach, quick and safe evacuation should be a top priority.
Smart Turnstiles can be programmed to allow rapid exit while preventing unauthorised re-entry, helping ensure the safety of personnel while maintaining site security.
4 ways to improve the security of your facility through access management
Implement advanced access control solutions
Transitioning from basic systems to more sophisticated solutions, such as smart turnstiles, enhances security by providing real-time monitoring and reducing the risk of human error.
Conduct regular audits and reviews
Regular assessments of access management systems are essential to identifying areas that require upgrading or improvement and ensuring compliance with safety and security regulations.
Integrate systems for seamless security
Integrating turnstiles with other security measures creates a comprehensive access management system, improving overall site security.
Stay updated on technology
Many survey participants were unaware of when they last replaced their turnstiles, raising concerns about outdated access solutions.
Smart Turnstiles can be updated through the cloud, eliminating this issue and ensuring access management systems remain current.
Choose the right access management solutions partner
At Parking Facilities, we understand the unique security challenges construction companies face.
Our Smart Turnstiles not only enhance security but also streamline access management processes, allowing you to focus on completing your project on time instead of worrying about potential security breaches.
To learn more about how Parking Facilities can help improve your construction site security, contact us today.
Thank you to all of our 16 interviewees. Your responses provide a fascinating insight into access management in the construction industry, helping us focus our efforts on manufacturing solutions that better meet the needs of many businesses across the UK.
