Editor's Corner
As we wrap up the outside plant construction season in most areas of the country it is important to remember that securing your plant construction equipment when not in use and putting tools and supplies away is essential to their protection from weather, vandals and those who wish to own these things without your permission.
The increasing demand for copper, brass and other non-ferrous metals is feeding a theft epidemic of copper piping, cable, wire, coils in A/C units as well as components and equipment from construction sites, utilities, homes and structures containing these items. With demand being great and the supply short, semi-precious metals like copper now seem precious with prices up over 400% in the last 10 years.
Even though there is a lot of work involved in stripping insulation off wire in phone cables, it seems to have become profitable enough to attract the attention of the criminal element. Thieves see copper as an easy and quick source of cash. Unethical salvage dealers are eager to buy copper scrap for up to 90% of face value. Copper theft creates problems for your Telco or Telco contractor, your employees and your customers. Projects may be delayed causing an interruption of revenues to you and your customers not to mention a huge inconvenience with paperwork for police reports, insurance claims and replacing the stolen material. Below are some steps you can take to protect your valuable property.
Be Informed
- Meet with your local law enforcement to advise them of your project plans, work schedules, materials being used and project start/stop dates. Seek their advice as to what further actions you can take to prevent copper theft.
- Get your employees to buy in to the importance of properly securing all copper materials and related equipment. Develop a security plan for the project and implement it.
- Consider hiring security staff for after hours. This can be full time on-site or roving patrols that will check on your project site at regular intervals.
- Select good quality storage containers, fencing and locks and keep them well maintained.
- Consider installing alarms on storage containers. With the ubiquitous use of wireless technology today the monitoring of these alarms becomes cheap and easy.
- Install locks on exterior power panels and lock cages around HVAC equipment and power generation equipment that contain valuable components.
- Establish your own neighborhood watch. Meet with neighbors and other contractors on the project and encourage them to report suspicious activity.
Be Wise
- Limit the amount of copper at the project site by arranging to have it delivered only when you need it. ("Just In Time" delivery)
- Secure copper inside your warehouse and not in the fenced yard. It is likely to be overlooked if it is out of sight and secured.
- Keep a good inventory of all copper material. New technologies may allow you to mark the copper as your own. Record all serial numbers of equipment that contains copper.
Be On Guard
- Enhance your storage and on-site security with adequate lighting, fencing and locks as needed. Video surveillance is worth considering as well.
- Post adequate signage like "No Trespassing" and "Video Surveillance Area". This makes it easier for police or security to identify, confront and arrest trespassers.
- Regularly inspect doors, locks gates and fences for damage or tampering. Many times will return and re-enter through undiscovered breeches in fencing, doors or gate locks.
I would be remiss if I did not wish all of our customers, co-employees and business partners a very Happy Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite holidays of the year when we all pause momentarily to recognize the fact that we live and work in the greatest country in the world! Have a good one!
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