Combating construction work downtime due to severe weather

Downtime in work across a multitude of fields is costly. It results in work being pending and a lot of schedules being accelerated. In the construction industry, this thing isn’t nice at all because downtime is more costly. Downed trees, equipment damaged, downed phone and power lines due to a severe storm.

That’s right, Severe weather can hamper work. Tropical storms can block roads and other modes of transportation to work. This can cause schedules to get accelerated and work to get delayed resulting in contractors paying for extra work and ending up losing in financial terms.

How expensive are extreme weather conditions? Methods for preparing against these conditions

As severe weather events become costly and more frequent, contractors face a higher risk of downtime in construction. Other industries have also felt the ripple effects, especially contracting, materials, retail, and other associated industries. Supply chain disruptions in construction are sometimes costly and unavoidable.

Business interruptions due to the COVID-19 Pandemic were different. Business interruptions due to weather are costly and pose a greater risk to construction companies and their projects. There are indications that both the supply chain and construction economy can improve, factors however are limited.

Higher financing rates have affected profitability while construction input expenses remain 40% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Financial uncertainty is rising and businesses require protection from severe weather and unexpected interruptions. Here are some ways to get ready for such issues:

Understanding and preparing for the issue at hand

Last year ended on a costly note for the United States. The country spent more than a billion dollars on recovering from natural disasters. These events took place during the warmest year on record. Water damage, tornadoes, and wildfires were among the disasters.

Most of them were severe storms throughout the United States consisting of hail and high winds. Other countries too were affected by such storms and weather. 

The threat of a severe storm is real and it can adversely impact construction projects in real time, anywhere and anytime.

Commercial contractors particularly have unique kinds of risks. Materials and equipment can get damaged on-site while being transported, or off-site. With most construction work being outdoors, construction workers are at risk of facing injuries and fatalities in severe weather,

Getting project sites ready for extreme weather starts with proper awareness and preventative measures and sessions. Let us now understand some rules of thumb:

• Understanding common types of severe weather risks taking place during different seasons. These disasters should be studied if they take place near the construction site.
• Checking short and long-term local weather forecasts regularly.
• Signing up for weather notifications/community alerts.
• Regularly completing weather drills with employees.
• Loose materials, equipment, and tools should be properly stored.
• Shutting down and unplugging all equipment and machinery not in use.
• Securing all kinds of scaffolding.
• Avoiding usage of cranes and other high-elevation equipment when winds are at excessively high speeds.
• Transporting heavy equipment and vehicles to a safe and protected location.
• Maintaining usable fire extinguishers that are also accessible.

These reminders can work as a starting point. The approach is not a one-size-fits-all concoction but rather a set of preventative measures that should be adopted immediately.

Developing a plan

Extreme weather is a risk to both property and human life. Employees and subcontractors are at risk too. Hence construction project managers need to develop an action plan for each project so employees know what to do whenever a weather emergency comes up. Quantum Experts believe that managers can help with the  following:

• Emergency equipment should always be in place: Construction project managers must check the type, quantity, and availability of emergency equipment. Among them are alarm systems, first aid supplies, and firefighting equipment. Equipment must be checked regularly and training provided on an adequate level can save lives.

• Each exit should be indicated and marked properly: Each construction project manager should evaluate all exists for prominence, safety, and accessibility. They should walk through each scenario to ensure exit procedures are done in proper order in case of an emergency.

• Employee evacuation procedures and plan: A clear and well-defined evacuation plan should be made that provides each employee and worker with proper direction for a proper and orderly exit. An emergency response committee should be created to help communicate evacuation plans, train employees, and assign them accordingly. 

• Proper communication patterns for evacuation orders: Emergency action plans should be shared routinely with all employees. A well-informed group is more than likely to inform an emergency and respond to a situation accordingly.

Updating the insurance plan/package

Protecting workers and reducing property damage is somehow within control. Adverse weather delays can affect 45% of construction around the world whether it’s the United States, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, The United Kingdom, or Australia.  

Updating insurance plans and packages is necessary to help construction companies be prepared in case of construction claims.

The financial cost of delays and disruption cost the industry billions in added expenses and lost revenue annually. Catastrophic storms can strangle supply chain networks and can cause more delays.