Site access control is one of many challenges faced by project managers during construction or renovation projects. This is particularly difficult during renovation of occupied spaces. Effective controls require pre-planning and coordination of effort among the project manager, contractors, and departmental management.

When planning site access control procedures, the following should be considered:

1. Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for controlling access to the construction work areas during non-working hours, or anytime that the site is unoccupied for any reason (e.g., lunch, breaks, weather, etc.).

2. Where entry into areas that are normally locked, or otherwise normally closed to unauthorized personnel, is required, ensure that documented steps are in place for the appropriate control over access to the space, that the area is locked whenever it is unoccupied, and that the area is checked and locked at the end of the workday.

3. Ensure that areas “off limits” to non-construction personnel are clearly and appropriately posted. Conversely, ensure that areas “off-limits” to construction personnel are clearly and appropriately posted.

4. Where construction activities require closing of exits or egress routes (with the approval of municipal construction or fire officials), ensure the affected exit signs are covered to prevent confusion and that alternate routes are clearly posted.

5. Ensure that contractors understand their responsibility to require unauthorized personnel to leave the construction work area immediately and to report these incidents to the University’s project manager and, if necessary, to Public Safety.

6. Finally, the substantial completion of the project, or a phase of the project, must be documented by the project manager. The project manager must then communicate to the appropriate University staff that the contractor’s work has been completed, and that responsibility for area security has been passed from the contractor back to the University. Thereafter, if punchlist or warranty work must be performed, the contractor must schedule access to the area through the project manager or other appropriate University staff.

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