Manned security on large construction sites: briefings and LMRA

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At seven in the morning, the crew is in the site cabin for the daily start-up briefing. The site manager runs through the schedule, flags today’s lifting operations and asks if there are any questions. The security officer at the gate is often not there, even though he is the first to notice when an extra crane comes in or the emergency exit behind the containers is blocked. Manned security on large construction sites works better when the security officer is part of the rhythm of the site.

1The security officer as part of the daily briefing

The daily briefing is when everyone hears what is different that day. For a security officer, that is important information. If a heavy transport is coming in, the gate needs to be clear in time. If part of the site is cordoned off for lifting, he needs to keep visitors away from it. If an outside firm that has not been on site before is working that day, he knows whom to expect.

Conversely, the security officer has information the site manager needs. Who was still hanging around the fence last night? Which delivery arrived later than planned? A short update during the briefing turns the security officer from an isolated post at the entrance into someone who helps think about the safety of the whole project.

2LMRA for whoever guards the gate

The Last Minute Risk Analysis (LMRA) is a fixed moment before every task on Dutch construction sites: stop, look at what could go wrong and only then start. That applies not only to the carpenter or the crane operator, but also to the security officer. His work carries risks too. A patrol across a site with open trenches, a gate next to a road with heavy goods traffic, a confrontation with someone who should not be there.

A good LMRA for a security officer is short and concrete. Which route am I walking today, and has it changed? Where are machines working? Where is the lighting inadequate? Whom do I call if something happens? By asking those questions deliberately, you prevent a security officer from stepping into an unfenced excavation at night.

3What technology takes over in manned security on large construction sites

A security officer cannot be everywhere at once. A large construction site has quiet corners, storage areas and fences that run for kilometres. Cameras with detection watch those spots continuously and let the security officer respond in a targeted way instead of walking blind patrols. A tower such as the Darwin Tower overlooks a large area without staff on site, and alerts can go straight to the right person through Darwin Control.

That also changes what you ask of the security officer. Less walking around, more assessing and following up. On some projects it means you no longer need a security officer at night, but still do during the day. On others there is always someone at the gate, but with camera footage as support.

4An example from practice

On a large commercial building project, a security officer is stationed at the main gate during the day and a patrol officer walks rounds at night. After a few months the site is extended with a second work area on the other side of the road. Instead of a second security officer, a tower with cameras and detection is placed there, linked to the monitoring centre. The security officer at the main gate receives alerts from the second area and joins the daily briefing of both crews. That way there is visibility over both locations, with one person keeping the overview.

5How Darwin brings manned security and technology together

Darwin does not supply security officers itself. As a technical specialist, we first look at the whole construction site: what can technology solve, and where are people needed? For physical security we put you directly in touch with one of our regular partners, who contracts, invoices and takes responsibility for that part themselves. We supply the camera surveillance, detection and access control, built and managed by our own engineers, for one fixed project price. Together we work out how security officer and technology complement each other. Read more under Darwin Physical Security.

6Frequently asked questions

Does Darwin supply security officers itself?

No. We put you in touch with one of our regular partners for physical security, who makes the arrangements directly with you.

Should a security officer attend the daily briefing?

It is not mandatory, but it is sensible. The security officer hears what is different that day and can share observations from the previous shift.

Can technology replace manned security completely?

Sometimes partly, for example at night. At busy times or with specific risks, people on site are often still needed, with technology in support.