Overnight Parking and Vehicle Security

Vehicles and plant left on site overnight must be parked securely to prevent theft, vandalism, and misuse.
Unsecured plant has been used by trespassers to commit crimes, cause damage, and injure themselves.
Keys must be removed from all plant and vehicles and stored securely at the end of every shift.
Plant should be parked in designated compounds with locked gates and appropriate lighting where possible.
Fuel theft from plant and vehicles is common; fuel caps should be locked and tanks monitored.
Vehicles parked on slopes must be left in gear with handbrakes applied and wheels chocked.
Crane jibs, excavator arms, and tipper bodies must be lowered to their rest position overnight.
Site security measures including CCTV, alarm systems, and security patrols protect parked plant.
Insurance policies often require specific security measures for plant left on site overnight.
The principal contractor is responsible for coordinating site security arrangements under CDM 2015.

Prevent theft	Plant and fuel theft costs the UK construction industry hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
Unauthorised use	Trespassers using unsecured plant have caused fatal injuries to themselves and damage to surrounding property.
Insurance compliance	Failure to secure plant as required by insurance conditions can void coverage for theft and damage claims.

Do

Don't

Remove keys from all plant and vehicles and store them securely each evening.
Park plant in designated secure compounds with locked gates where available.
Lower crane jibs, excavator arms, and tipper bodies to rest position overnight.
Apply handbrakes and chock wheels on vehicles parked on any sloping ground.
Lock fuel caps and monitor fuel levels to detect overnight theft.
Ensure site perimeter security including fencing, gates, and lighting is maintained.
Report any signs of attempted theft, vandalism, or trespassing immediately.
Follow the insurance policy requirements for overnight plant security measures.
Immobilise plant using steering locks, tracking devices, or wheel clamps where required.
Brief all operators on the end-of-shift parking and security procedure.

DON'T leave keys in plant ignitions or unlocked cab compartments overnight.
DON'T park plant outside the designated secure compound if one is available.
DON'T leave crane jibs, excavator arms, or attachments raised overnight.
DON'T leave site gates unlocked or propped open at the end of the shift.
DON'T park vehicles on slopes without handbrakes, gear engagement, and wheel chocks.
DON'T ignore fuel level discrepancies that may indicate overnight theft.
DON'T leave tools and valuable materials in unlocked vehicles or open storage.
DON'T disable CCTV, alarm systems, or site lighting to save energy overnight.
DON'T assume security is someone else's problem; everyone plays a part.
DON'T park plant where it blocks emergency access routes or fire assembly points.

See also: Site Security and Access Control | Plant Pre-Use Inspections

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