Tips for Protecting Your Heavy Equipment Rentals

Theft is a major theft problem on many construction sites, and you might be surprised to learn that in many cases, criminals are targeting heavy equipment. It's estimated that of all the heavy equipment that is stolen each year, only 10 to 15 percent is ever returned to the rightful owner.

Protecting your rented heavy equipment while it's on the job site needs to be a top priority. Here are a few things you can do to help ensure that you are able to keep your heavy equipment rentals safe.

Keep Records of Everyone Who Enters and Leaves the Job Site

Keep a detailed record of everyone who leaves and enters the job site will help ensure that no unauthorized visitors have access to the equipment. Additionally, ask all employees who utilize any equipment, including the heavy equipment, to sign out the vehicle. Once your employees are done, ask them to sign in the vehicle.

If the job site is large and there is no fence or clear entrance, designate one. Post an employee at the entrance and provide them with a list of individuals who are authorized on the job site. If someone drives up who isn't on the list, insist an employer or supervisor is informed before allowing the individual access to the site or the equipment.

Move Your Heavy Equipment to a Secure Area at Night

If you have a small job site, or you are renting a single piece of equipment for home use, chances are you won't have a secure lot available. If possible, move all the heavy and light equipment to a secure area, such as on your property behind a fence.

Keeping the rental equipment on your property will allow you to keep a closer eye on it as well.

Additionally, strategically park the equipment to help ensure it isn't stolen. Begin by parking the smaller equipment in a circle, making sure to leave room to back out one of the vehicles. Next, park all the larger equipment in a circle around the smaller equipment. Once again, make sure to leave yourself plenty of room to move one of the vehicles out of the circle.

This placement will make it more difficult for anyone to steal the equipment, especially in the dark.

Install Lighting and Cameras

You also need to protect your rented heavy equipment at night. One of the best ways to keep an eye on the equipment and ensure no one drives off with your rental is to install security cameras and motion sensor lighting. Choose a security system that allows you to remotely monitor the equipment from your home.

Adequate lighting is also critical, so in addition to installing traditional lighting, consider motion sensing outdoor lighting as well. If you're parking the vehicles at home or on the job site, motion sensing lighting will alert you to any activity while startling anyone trespassing on the property.

Consider Extra Security

Finally, one of the most effective ways to protect your equipment is to have someone watching your rentals. One option is to hire a security guard to keep an eye on your equipment and job site. If this isn't feasible or you are storing your equipment on your property, contact your local police department.

Let the police know that you have heavy equipment on your property and ask them to drive by the site a few times each night to look for any suspicious activity or intruders.

From hiring a securing guard to installing cameras, you can protect your heavy equipment rentals in several ways. If you have any additional questions about renting heavy equipment, contact the professionals at Quick Sand and Fill Corp.