Safe Working in Adverse Weather on Construction Sites

Construction work doesn’t stop when the weather turns but that doesn’t mean safety standards should drop. From heavy rain and high winds to freezing temperatures and extreme heat, adverse weather presents serious risks on site.

With changing weather patterns bringing more frequent extremes, construction businesses must ensure robust planning, training and supervision are in place to protect workers and maintain compliance.

Here’s what you need to know about managing safety in challenging weather conditions.

Why Adverse Weather Is a Serious Risk

Weather can significantly increase the likelihood of:

• Slips, trips and falls

• Falls from height

• Structural instability

• Equipment failure

• Reduced visibility incidents

• Cold stress or heat exhaustion

• Manual handling injuries

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), employers have a duty to assess risks and implement suitable control measures including those created by weather conditions.

Adverse weather is foreseeable. Failing to plan for it is not defensible.

Working Safely in Different Weather Conditions

Heavy Rain & Flooding

Rain creates slippery surfaces, unstable ground conditions and increased electrical hazards.

Key control measures:

• Ensure proper drainage and site housekeeping

• Use non-slip access routes and matting

• Inspect scaffolding and temporary structures

• Protect electrical systems from water ingress

• Monitor excavations for collapse risk

Work at height should be reassessed during heavy rainfall, especially when surfaces become slick.

High Winds

Strong winds pose major risks to:

• Scaffolding

• Tower cranes

• Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)

• Hoardings and temporary structures

• Lifting operations

Control measures include:

• Monitoring wind speed using site anemometers

• Following manufacturer wind limits for cranes and MEWPs

• Securing loose materials

• Suspending lifting operations when limits are exceeded

• Regular scaffold inspections after high winds

If wind conditions make work unsafe, stopping operations is the correct decision not a failure of productivity.

Cold Weather & Ice

Low temperatures bring risks such as:

• Slips due to ice or frost

• Reduced dexterity affecting tool handling

• Cold stress and hypothermia

• Poor concentration

Employers should:

• Grit access routes and work areas

• Provide suitable PPE including thermal gloves and layered clothing

• Allow warm-up breaks

• Provide heated welfare facilities

• Rotate tasks where possible

Fatigue and cold-related illness can increase incident rates significantly if not managed properly.

Extreme Heat

Heat-related risks are becoming more common across the UK. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to:

• Heat exhaustion

• Dehydration

• Heat stroke

• Sunburn and long-term skin damage

Control measures include:

• Providing shaded rest areas

• Ensuring easy access to drinking water

• Adjusting work schedules (earlier starts where possible)

• Encouraging regular breaks

• Promoting sun protection (SPF, neck protection, breathable PPE)

Supervisors should be trained to recognise the signs of heat stress and respond quickly.

Planning and Risk Assessment

Adverse weather should form part of your:

• Site-specific risk assessments

• Method statements

• Daily briefings

• Toolbox talks

• Emergency procedures

Weather forecasts should be monitored daily, and dynamic risk assessments conducted when conditions change unexpectedly.

Communication is critical. Workers must feel empowered to raise concerns if conditions become unsafe.

The Role of Training

Training plays a key role in managing weather-related risk. Workers should understand:

• When to stop work

• How weather affects specific tasks

• Safe use of access equipment in different conditions

• Emergency response procedures

Supervisors in particular should be confident in making weather-related safety decisions.

When Should Work Stop?

One of the most common questions on construction sites is: “At what point do we stop?”

There is no single temperature or wind speed that automatically shuts down a site. The decision depends on:

• The specific activity

• Manufacturer guidance

• Ground conditions

• Exposure levels

• Workforce capability

If risks cannot be adequately controlled, work should not continue. Safety must always outweigh programme pressure.

Adverse weather is unavoidable but accidents resulting from poor planning are not.

By combining effective risk assessments, proactive supervision, suitable PPE and a strong safety culture, construction businesses can protect their workforce in all conditions.

Weather will always be unpredictable. Your safety standards shouldn’t be.