If you currently run a construction company, or are intending to in future, managing weather-related issues will become part of your day-to-day life. Construction projects primarily take place outdoors, which means that machinery and workers alike have to be prepared for the potential hazards that Mother Nature can cause, and construction business owners thus have to become adept at managing the potential risks. Here’s what you need to know about the hazards adverse weather conditions can pose, and why they are so concerning.
The Problems
Hot, dry weather
- Wet materials will dry faster in hotter conditions, which provides less time to make changes or alterations when the material has been laid. As a result, there is a higher level of jeopardy around getting things right, first time, which greatly increases stress levels for all workers.
- Mortar is particularly vulnerable to the issues mentioned above; if mortar sets prematurely, the overall bond strength of bricks will be reduced, potentially weakening the entire structure
- The drier the weather, the drier a construction site will be, which means the risk of dust is far higher, which can be hugely problematic both for workers and for plant machinery
- Hot weather poses risks to construction workers, both in terms of dehydration, sunburn, and – in extremely hot periods – heatstroke
Cold weather
- Hydration of materials is, as noted, a particular concern during periods of hot weather, but it can also be problematic during particularly cold weather too. Lower temperatures can drastically slow down – or potentially completely stop – the process of cement hydration, potentially weakening the overall structure
- Mortar can also struggle in cold temperatures, also leading to potential weaknesses in the finished construction
- Finally, workers will be particularly vulnerable to cold weather, with the risk of cold-weather related injuries an ever-present concern
Windy weather
- High winds on or around a construction site are a genuine safety threat, both to machinery and in terms of the risk of debris
- Machinery is also vulnerable to the risk of high winds and, in the worst case scenario, can potentially cause a catastrophic accident
The Solutions
Having discussed the problems that the weather can cause to construction businesses, we can now investigate the potential solutions and how you can implement these across your company.
Monitor your site conditions
It is important to use equipment that the ambient temperature and the wind speed at any construction site you are working on. Temperature and wind speed can both cause a number of construction issues, so you need to be sure you have accurate, reliable data on these metrics at all times.
Keep spray bottles of water on site
It’s always useful to have a few spray bottles of standard water on a construction site, as these can be used to spritz hard materials – such as bricks – or mortar in order to control the increased evaporation rate on warm days.
Make sure your workers are properly equipped
If temperatures are soaring, your workers will need to wear loose clothing to maintain stable body temperature. It can also be helpful if you ensure there is a plentiful supply of water on site, which you can encourage workers to drink in order to avoid issues such as dehydration.
In colder months, gloves are essential, so ensure every worker is issued with at least two pairs of robust gloves that offer sufficient protection against the elements. Furthermore, maintaining body heat is the paramount concern, so ensure your workers are wearing multiple, thick layers. The layers are a particularly important consideration due to the natural fluctuations in temperature that construction workers are exposed to when completing manual work: if they’re too warm, layers can be removed so they are more comfortable; if they then switch to another task and cool down, they can add another layer to warm up.
In addition to clothing, it’s also important to ensure that your workers have access to respirators during periods of hot weather due to the higher risk of dust.
Alter your building techniques during cold weather
To ensure that cement hydration is not impacted by cold weather, heat bricks prior to use during the winter months. The bricks do not need to feel hot as such, but they should feel comfortable to hold, rather than noticeably cold to the touch.
Also, you may find that adding more sand than normal to mortar helps to ensure a strong bond is achieved in the finished project.
Ensure your machinery is always in a good state of repair
In order to withstand the worst of the weather, your machinery needs to be in the best possible shape at all times. If machinery is broken, or in need of routine maintenance, it is all the more likely to develop weather-related issues.
It’s also worth noting that, while the above applies to all machinery, it is a particularly crucial consideration for cranes. Cranes are especially vulnerable to wind damage, so always ensure you have essential work such as Kessler axle repair and similar issues taken care of as soon as you become aware such work may be necessary. With the work complete, you can – with the usual precautions regarding wind speed – be confident that your crane will always be operating as safely and securely as possible.
Always check machinery prior to use
Maintenance and repair work is crucial for all construction machinery, but it is also important to get into the habit – and encourage your workers to do the same – of checking machinery is safe to use during periods of extreme weather. Some weather-inflicted machinery issues occur acutely – such as dust accumulating in equipment filters – outside of your normal maintenance schedule, so before-use checks should be standard practice.
Keep your construction site tidy
A tidy construction site helps to eliminate debris, which reduces the threat of debris being scattered during periods of high winds. In addition, a neat construction site also helps to ensure workers are able to operate at maximum efficiency, which is particularly beneficial when working at extreme temperatures- be they hot or cold.
In conclusion
Hopefully, reading through the above will allow you to anticipate and manage the threats that weather may cause to your construction business.