The Construction Cost Index (CCI) has been rising significantly since 2020. It stood at 2,227 points for the first quarter of 2024 (INSEE). This increase is linked to inflation in several areas, such as energy costs, material prices, and wage increases. Added to this are increasingly severe weather events, such as heat waves and floods: 6.5 billion euros in insurance claims in 2023, according to France Assureurs (source). How can we anticipate these increasingly frequent risks to better manage weather-related challenges in the construction industry?
A construction site runs most smoothly when the atmosphere is dry and stable. Bad weather can not only compromise the quality of the building materialsbut can also jeopardize the workers’ safety. These weather-related setbacks lead to additional costs due to various in delivery.
The adverse weather conditions refers to “weather conditions and floods when they make it dangerous or impossible to perform work […]” (Article L5424-8 of the Labor Code). These provisions include freezing temperatures, black ice, rain, snow, and strong gusts of wind. Every construction trade is more susceptible to one weather factor than another. The crane operator or a carpenter pays closer attention to wind speed, while a painter keeps an eye on the outside temperature.
The Decree No. 2024-630 of June 28, 2024 recognizes the heat wave as an adverse weather event requiring a work stoppage. This provision entitles your employees to compensation provided that theheat wave is recognized by Météo France or by a prefectural order (source).
Extreme weather conditions can disrupt the smooth progress of your construction project for several reasons. Moisture interferes with the drying of concrete, causes wood to rot or metal to rust. High winds can damage partially constructed structures, thereby weakening load-bearing elements or exterior cladding. By reducing the thermal conductivity of certain materials (fiberglass, bricks, concrete, or wood), water reduces thethermal insulation of the building.
Your construction workers may experience various symptoms if they are exposed to extreme temperatures for too long. Cold weather causes frostbite, burns from contact with frozen metal surfaces, or hypothermia. The risk of falling is increased if the ground is frozen. Extreme heat increases fatigue, cramps, and dehydration, which can even lead to loss of consciousness.
According toArticle L5424-9 of the Labor Code, only the employer or the site manager may decide to suspend work. This decision is subject to the approval of the employee representatives who make up the Social and Economic Committee. However, if the project owner is a government agency or local authority, its representative on the job site may object to the suspension of work.
If this work stoppage is approved, employees are entitled to their bad-weather leave in the construction industry. The compensation amounts to 75% of gross wages. As an employer, you must submit a work stoppage report to your construction industry bad-weather leave fund.
If the construction project is delayed due to an exceptional weather event, obtain the weather report from the station closest to your project site. This document can serve as justification for your delay to your client, so you won’t have to paying penalties. The court recognizes its legally binding status in the event of a dispute with your project owner.
Don't let bad weather catch you off guard and constantly slow down your construction project. We suggest three approaches to better manage the effects of the weather on your construction site.
You can't predict what the weather will be like on a particular day. However, you can anticipate bad weather by researching the weather conditions at your construction site. By looking back several years, you can identify recurring patterns.
It's best to add at least one extra workweek when preparing your schedule. This extra time allows you to adjust your teams’ workload if they fall too far behind due to prolonged inclement weather (especially in winter). You should also plan for reasonable delivery times.
If bad weather strikes suddenly, do not send your employees home right away. Plan forother tasks that aren’t affected by the weather, such as work inside the building: painting, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, etc.
If your construction projects take place during the summer, you face an increasingly high risk of experiencing a heat wave. Météo France estimates that France experiences an average of 9.4 days of heat waves per year since 2010 (source). As an employer, you are responsible for the health and safety of everyone on your construction site.
That's why it's best to start work earlier in the morning so you don’t suffer the effects of the heat wave. The weather apps can help you adjust your teams’ schedules over several days.
One-third of construction workers work more than 20 hours a week outdoors (source). The physical demands of the work and the risk of workplace accidents are even greater when weather conditions are unfavorable. Therefore, offer training sessions to your construction workers to raise their awareness of safety protocols during inclement weather. They need to know how to respond and protect their equipment depending on the circumstances.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to provide the following equipment that meets the required standards:Â
To avoid being overwhelmed by delivery delays, factor in inclement weather into your construction schedule using recurring data. Adjust your teams’ work while prioritizing their safety above all else. Stay updated on the situation in real time with your technicians and project owner using our app.
