Effective project management is essential for the success of any development. With the Summer storms on the horizon, it's important that wet weather is at the forefront of your memory when putting together your project plan. Understanding a few of the key areas to focus on when planning for wet weather can contribute to the success of your project, helping to avoid delays and onsite liabilities.
Contingency plan
Weather impacts your project timeline and must be accounted for when planning your project. Unforeseen weather such as a rainy day can cause work to be postponed or even lead to a wet weather day where there is no onsite activity. If factoring in bad weather, you are more likely to stay on track for a timely completion or even finishing the project before the estimated deadline. Consider using weekends and non-work days to make up for losses due to wet weather. Activates on your project time line placed just before the completion of the project can be used to house extra time, giving you leeway for weather delays. Be sure to use weather calendars to help get a rough idea as to what weather to plan for.
Protect your site
Rain can make it difficult to work onsite - struggling to grip tools, feel secure on machinery, making adjustments for the addition of slippery surfaces and more. All these factors can lead to potential onsite accidents, making workers more cautious and resulting in slower, inefficient work. Various precautions can be taken in order to mitigate potential incidents and maintain productivity. Protecting your job site from bad weather can be achieved by ensuring the roof if completed as soon as possible as well as the exterior walls, however this can be substituted for protective sheeting around scaffolding. Planning your project in this way will ensure that when a wet weather day arises, internal work can still be completed which ensures the project continues work regardless of the weather. If continuing work in wet weather conditions you must ensure there is good drainage on site, all electrical appliances must be safe and raised above the ground and all workers must be wearing wet weather clothing and footwear.
Legal obligations
After planning your project and factoring in the potential for rainy days and once you've established a contingency plan it is important to understand what your contractual obligations are. Often a contract will take into consideration exceptionally bad weather, such as the rain being so heavy and constant that flooding occurs. In cases such as these, extensions are often granted and at times an increase in the project budget. However, your contract will assume that you have factored into the project plan the possibility for delays as a result of weather and therefore you will not be compensated with time or money for your typical storms and wet weather.
Planning tools
Make your life easier! There are tools that are specially tailored for construction and forecasting weather, providing invaluable weather warnings well in advance. The ability to prepare for these weather conditions will help you keep your project on track and ensure your workers and site are protected against the effects of weather.
Planning for wet weather can be difficult due to the unpredictability of nature. However, with effective precautions in place it's possible to reduce or eliminate risks to your workers, site and gear. We have put together a checklist to help you cover all your bases when doing your risk assessment.