Climate change impacts are felt worldwide across numerous industries, particularly construction. The threat of excessive heat exposure, inclement rain and fluctuating weather patterns has made working at jobsites especially dangerous for contractors. Construction managers are now tasked with devising new protocols and mitigation initiatives to protect workers from the latest environmental hazards.
The Current State of Climate Change
According to a 2021 article in the Annual Review of Public Health, 396 natural disasters killed 11,755 people worldwide in 2019, impacting another 95 million and costing $130 billion in damage. North America accounted for 20% of those disasters, totaling $55 billion.
Climate change has also created the perfect conditions for excessive heat. According to one study, heat waves were 10 times more prevalent and three times more intense from 1986-2021 than from 1950-1985.
Consequently, the threats have raised the issue of workers’ health and safety, especially for outdoor occupations exposed to extreme weather conditions. In many instances, the impacts also have negative implications for construction projects.
Construction Workers & Exposure to Climate Hazards
Climate hazards affect construction jobsite safety in many ways. As weather events become increasingly severe, workers face more of the following risks:
- Greater chance of developing heat illness, heat stroke and injuries
- Exposure to contaminants, bacteria, and waterborne and vector-borne diseases from sitting water
- Challenging and dangerous cleanup after damaged construction sites
Heat-related illnesses are among the most serious health risks. If workers are unable to regulate themselves, they may suffer a heat stroke, which occurs when a person’s internal body temperature is over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. These incidences are more common for those working physically demanding jobs in hot conditions, particularly when exposed to sunlight or wearing conductive clothing.
In some circumstances, heat exposure may be fatal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that from 1992 to 2022, the construction industry accounted for 34% of heat-related occupational deaths, amounting to 334 workers.
Severe weather also compromises the structural integrity of construction projects and leads to strenuous recovery efforts. Workers risk falling on wet surfaces or debris, being hit by flying objects or getting electrocuted from exposed wires. Storms could even weaken buildings and make structural frames and foundations less stable.
After a tropical storm, hurricane or tornado, water damage and poor air quality may contribute to respiratory conditions caused by mold, mildew, dust and other airborne particles. Likewise, standing water and humidity are the perfect recipe for mosquitoes and bacterial growth.
5 Ways to Protect Contractors From Climate Impacts
As severe storms and heat waves intensify, the construction industry must make sweeping changes to jobsite health and safety. Adapting to weather fluctuations will be vital to protecting workers from exposure. The following are five things commercial contractors should do to protect themselves and their teams.
1. Deliver Comprehensive Training
All construction workers should undergo extensive training to do their jobs effectively and safely. However, modified training is essential in the face of climate change.
All contractors must understand the risks associated with working on projects in weather-prone areas.
This entails identifying the signs of heat illness and learning how to respond to on-site injuries. Training should also cover the steps to securing jobsites after a storm and to inspecting for structural damage and other hazards.
Update the training program regularly to make sure your team is keeping up with emerging climate trends and new safety protocols and technologies. Ask workers to then provide feedback for improvements.
2. Issue Site-Specific Emergency Protocols
A lot can go wrong at a construction site in a weather emergency. Ensure all contractors know the emergency procedures before and after storms or in the event of a heat wave.
For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found there were over 350 deaths from falls at jobsites in 2020. Therefore, workers must know how to respond immediately to water, oil or chemical spills. It may also be necessary to secure structures and equipment a certain way as a major storm approaches.
Practice storm preparedness by conducting emergency drills related to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes or heat-related crises. Additionally, an evacuation plan must be implemented with designated routes, assembly areas and communication channels workers must follow.
3. Provide Protective Gear
Construction managers should provide protective gear to all contractors depending on the weather. During a heat wave, workers should wear breathable clothing to avoid overheating. Likewise, hats and cooling vests will help regulate body temperature to prevent heat illness and stroke.
Sunscreen is also crucial when working outdoors. According to the World Health Organization, occupational ultraviolet exposure raises the risk of skin cancer by 60%.
Other protective gear includes gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, and waterproof or steel-toed boots. Likewise, respirators can protect workers from breathing in dust, mold spores and other air pollutants.
4. Implement Advanced Weather Monitoring
Implement advanced weather monitoring systems to inform construction teams about impending weather events in real time. Automatic alerts are just as effective in providing updates to workers’ phones.
Construction managers can tailor weather-monitoring technologies to specific locations or use on-site remote sensors to collect and disseminate weather data. They should also integrate their emergency response initiatives into weather monitoring, adjusting work schedules, tasks and activities around potential hazards.
5. Integrate Heat-Mitigation Strategies
Other heat-mitigation strategies are essential for worker health and safety in dire weather. Consider the following measures for your jobsite:
- Setting up hydration stations with water and electrolyte drinks
- Designating shaded areas and cool zones for workers to rest and seek relief from heat exposure
- Scheduling work before the heat of the day and stretching midday breaks
- Setting up portable fans and misting machines
- Improving ventilation in enclosed structures
Preventive Measures Save Lives at Work
Few things are as important as ensuring the health and safety of construction workers at jobsites. These efforts become even more crucial amid the rising threat of climate change. By carefully evaluating the risks in a specific area, construction managers can develop the best preventive measures to protect teams from environmental harm
