Enhancing site access control and workforce management across complex construction sites

With a law degree and more than a decade working as a safety and risk professional in the construction industry, Devin Argyle, Associate Consultant at Argyle Consulting Group PLLC has vast experience in managing worker safety and corporate risk on major construction projects. Devin was brought on as the Project Risk Manager for the Salt Lake City Temple Renovation Project six months before construction to draft various plans and policies. The Salt Lake City Temple, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was built in 1893 and is deemed sacred by millions of people across the world. Security was of utmost concern for many – especially the Project Risk Manager. 

While developing the site security plan, Devin knew the manual systems and protocols he had used in the past, such as gates, cameras, lights, roving guards and flaggers, would not be good enough for this project. He was introduced to CrewSight’s innovative digital access control solution and has since transformed his approach to site access and competency checks.

Combining a wide range of products with expert support at every step, CrewSight - part of ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in access solutions - worked with Devin to implement a tailored solution that met the needs of this sensitive project.

The job will see up to 2,000 laborers on site per day, all linked to CrewSight’s software solution, which accurately records the names, qualifications and access permissions of each individual.

“Securing the site and providing critical information is what safety is all about – making sure contractors aren’t working atop others, ensuring untrained workers don’t enter the site, knowing who is on the site in case of an emergency. By embracing CrewSight’s futuristic methods, those individuals overseeing the Salt Lake Temple Renovation Project were provided the information they needed during operations to meet schedule as well as peace of mind during off-hours knowing the site was safe and secure."
- Devin Argyle, Associate Consultant at Argyle Consulting Group PLLC

Connecting the system to a total of five RFID card-enabled turnstile units from CrewSight also gives real-time updates of who is on site and for how long, with easy and immediate restrictions on access and a reliable register in case of emergency. The broadcast text alert function also means everyone registered on the system can be contacted, quickly, if there is an incident or information they need to be made aware of.

Optimized site controls and three tiered access system
The vast construction jobsite, which was spread over two city blocks in the centre of Salt Lake City, required regular adjustments on access levels as the project developed and more laborers were required on site.

Devin Argyle and CrewSight spent a number of a days working out how to optimize site controls, eventually opting for three tiers of access – one across the whole jobsite, one for the main hub of activity and one for miscellaneous activities across the rest of the area.

This enabled CrewSight to deliver a tailored solution, bringing together its advanced workforce management software with access control hardware. Five RFID card-enabled turnstile units were provided - two double and one single, to meet the capacity needs of the jobsite.



The benefits of a digital system
CrewSight’s system eliminates the need for paper files and creates a digital record of the workforce to provide real-time visibility of who is on site and their credentials, for valuable insight and control.

“We had to really think about the cost upfront, because the combined solution of software and hardware (RFID card-enabled turnstiles) was a significant investment. But in hindsight we would have paid three or four times that for the confidence and control it provides. I’d have no hesitation specifying this system again and I’ll certainly advocate their use on future projects.” 
- Devin Argyle, Associate Consultant at Argyle Consulting Group PLLC

In real-time site management have the power to check:

• how many people are on site
• identify those individuals
• check what contractors they work for
• establish their site credentials.

In the Spring of 2020, the project survived a 4.5-magnitude earthquake, and the project team relied heavily on CrewSight’s access control records to ensure everyone was accounted for.

The digital system also allows turnstiles to be locked, for example when the site was closed due to heavy snow and gives the option to instantly deactivate badges if needed; for example, for a failed drugs test, refusal to comply with project requirements or termination.

Using CrewSight’s solution, the client has full transparency, comprehensive workforce management and reliable access control for up to 2,000 operatives at a time across a complex and flagship construction jobsite, with real-time insights and accurate reporting.