Construction cameras are a great way to secure your jobsite, but how do you walk the fine line between a secure workplace and the privacy of your employees and visitors?
Surveillance cameras are part of any robust security plan, but there are privacy concerns you should be aware of before getting started. The first, that depending on where your cameras are located and what they are recording, you may need the consent of all parties.
Businesses are not usually granted the same kind of legal protections when it comes to security cameras that a private home may enjoy. While you may be able to have hidden cameras in and around your home, a construction site might require that any employee be made aware of any security policy and where and how recording devices are being used in shared or public spaces (always check local or municipal, county or parish, state, federal laws before placing cameras on your jobsite).
Important considerations before placing construction cameras on your job site:
Communication is Key: Let Them Know
When considering the placement of construction cameras, communicate their location and purpose with employees. It is important to share your concerns about theft, safety, and productivity with your employees to alleviate all the different suspicions construction cameras can raise. Being open and transparent about your security policy can go a long way toward instilling confidence and respect from your construction staff.
Avoid Hidden Cameras
Place cameras around your construction site in full view. Aside from being a deterrent, it increases the trust of your employees. Psychologically speaking, employees who believe they are being watched covertly are less likely to trust an employer in other areas that could cripple your ability to do business effectively.
Avoid Voice Recordings
While security cameras are great and effective methods of securing a construction site, they are also noisy workplaces. You’re less likely to want audio to accompany your video, but if you’re thinking it might be valuable… The Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 restricts the recording of audio, even when used for security purposes. You would need to meet strict requirements to legally record audio and most businesses probably wouldn’t meet them.
Common Sense Use
On a construction site, placing cameras and monitoring areas generally include storage sheds, public walkways and thoroughfares that are not built for privacy. However, you’ll want to avoid specific areas that employees and visitors should have a general expectation of privacy like restrooms and locker rooms.
To find out how SiteKick helps secure job sites with cameras and monitors environmental data, as well as how we leverage IoT to make sure only the right people have access to your important job site data, give us a call today!
