KEEPING YOU INFORMED: PBA'S PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

The public relations/public affairs committee oversees and suggests statewide public relations activities to effectively communicate PBA's concerns to the media, members, consumers and elected officials. The committee also works to motivate local associations to become actively involved in PBA��s public relations programs.

The public relations/public affairs committee is comprised of 15 members and meets three times a year in conjunction with PBA board meetings. The current committee chair is Pete Restaino, BIA of Northeastern PA.

The committee receives information from the chairman and director of public relations/public affairs during committee meetings. It acts as a sounding board by providing input on ways to reach members with important issues and provides feedback on other communications projects.

Priority topics discussed during committee meetings include:

Keystone Builder magazine �� monthly magazine distributed to PBA membership. Topic ideas for upcoming issues are discussed and committee members provide valuable feedback on recent issues.

PBA web site �� Committee members discuss new sections and provide input to continually improve the web site.

Tradesecrets �� Electronic newsletter published every two weeks to PBA members with e-mail service. Topic ideas and distribution are discussed.

Ready-to-use newsletter articles �� The committee provides topic ideas for articles provided to local associations for use in their local newsletters.

The committee��s input and ideas are instrumental to the success of PBA and suggestions are always welcomed. If you have any public relations issues on which the committee can provide assistance, please contact your field service director at the PBA office at (800) 692-7339.

Arlene Kerner, ext. 3020  [email protected]

Rob Milne, ext 3015    [email protected]

Doug Meshaw, ext 3007    [email protected]

Article provided by PBA

THEFT AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

        Thieves look for easy targets.  In most cases, they aren�t the most motivated people, so they will look for the easiest way to steal from your site gathering what they can within about ten minutes.  Your job is to make that difficult to accomplish. 

        So how can you prevent theft at your job sites? First, you need to be committed to preventing theft and make it a priority.  Establish theft-prevention policies and make sure your employees understand them and their role in securing the site.  Hold your employees and subcontractors accountable.  Consider offering rewards to workers and the public if they report construction site theft.

Theft-Prevention Checklist

-     Take an inventory of what you have, and write down serial numbers for equipment.

-     Use surveillance equipment to aid in catching thieves, should they steal property.

-     Keep the site well lit, install a fence around the property and padlock equipment in trailers

-     Lock and immobilize equipment during non-working hours.  Use anti-theft devices, such as steering-wheel locks, kill switches, tire and wheel/axle locks, locked hood side plates and locking fuel caps

-     Use alarm systems on major pieces of equipment and trailers containing tools

-     Double stamp all tools, equipment and attachments with an identification number

-     Warning signs should indicate that the equipment numbers are recorded

-     Put reward decal in equipment

-     Paint tools and equipment with bright easily recognizable colors to identify them from a distance

-     Stencil the company logo or other identifying marks on the equipment

Source: Trooper Linette Quinn of the Pennsylvania State Police, Harrisburg and �Construction Site Security,� New Zealand Security

        If is also good practice to monitor your security policies to determine if changes need to be made.  Periodically visit your site afer hours to make sure your security policies are being followed by employees and subcontractors.  Be aware of theft reports at other construction sites.  Other thefts may give you clues about what types of property is being targeted and how to better secure your site.