Bad weather on construction sites: working effectively despite rain and storms

Bad weather on construction sites doesn’t have to be a hindrance! Here you can find out what you should look out for during bad weather on the construction site and how to survive storms and rain safely.

Acting correctly in bad weather on the construction site

Bad weather in the construction industry brings with it specific challenges, from weather-related work stoppages to employee safety. Below you can find out everything you need to know about the bad weather period in the construction industry and what you should pay attention to during this time.

When does the bad weather season start in construction?

The bad weather period in the construction industry is a period defined by collective agreement or by law during which work restrictions are to be expected due to the weather. The bad weather period lasts three months and begins in accordance with the German Social Security Code ( § Section 101 (1) SGB III ) on December 1 of each year and ends on March 31 of the following year.

The bad weather period was introduced to take account of seasonal weather influences such as rain, snow, cold or storms. Bad weather makes work in the construction industry considerably more difficult and sometimes impossible. To ensure that construction work is still carried out well, bad weather must be taken into account and factored in at the planning stage. In addition, special attention must be paid to the safety of construction workers during bad weather.

Who pays bad weather allowance?

During the bad weather period in construction, special bad weather regulations apply to payment, so that employees are financially protected even if they are unable to work due to the weather. If there is a lack of work or work stoppages due to bad weather in construction, such as heavy rain or snow, it is possible to apply for seasonal short-time allowance (Saison KUG ).

Certain conditions must be met in order to receive this bad weather allowance in construction:

• The employees must be employed in a company that belongs to the construction industry or in an industry that is affected by seasonal layoffs ( 101 Para. 1 No. 1 SGB III ).
• The loss of working hours must be considered significant in accordance with the statutory provisions (§ 101 Para. 1 No. 2 SGB III ).
• At least one person must be employed in the company ( 97 SGB III).
• The employees must be in employment subject to compulsory insurance, the employment relationship must not have been terminated or dissolved, and they must not be excluded from short-time working benefits ( 98 SGB III).

The employer is responsible for applying to the employment agency for the seasonal KUG. The amount of the Saison KUG depends on how much net pay is lost due to short-time working. In principle, employees receive 60 percent of their actual net wage. If there is a child in the household, this percentage increases to 67 percent.

In addition to the seasonal KUG, other bad weather supplements such as the additional winter allowance, the winter allowance supplement or the reimbursement of social benefits can also be applied for from the relevant employment agency. This guarantees that employees receive part of their Construction payroll even during bad weather.

Building in winter: What you should bear in mind when it’s cold on the construction site

When building in winter, there are some special features to consider. Although it is generally possible to build during the cold season, the cold on the construction site affects both the building materials used and the work processes. This means that construction sites generally take longer in winter and are less economically viable. It is therefore advisable to include possible construction delays in the planning and costing in order to be prepared for the challenges of winter.

The 5-degree limit

As long as temperatures are above five degrees, it is usually possible to build a house in winter, for example, without any problems. However, if temperatures drop below five degrees, caution is required. This is because many chemical building materials change at particularly cold temperatures and can then no longer be used as usual.

Water-based building materials in particular, such as concrete, paint, plaster or mortar, react sensitively to frost and do not harden properly at temperatures below five degrees. This not only leads to delays on the construction site, but may also jeopardize the statics of the house.

Occupational safety on the construction site in winter

Bad weather in construction poses an increased safety risk, which is why occupational safety and instruction on the construction site are particularly important in the cold season. In winter, there are various hazards that endanger both Staff and the construction process. These include slippery conditions caused by ice and snow, poor visibility due to rain and darkness, and changes in the properties of machinery and building materials due to the cold on the construction site.

To make your construction site as safe as possible in winter, you should take certain precautions. With these five tips, you can minimize the risk of accidents and defy bad weather on the construction site:

1. Lighting: Improve the lighting on the construction site to optimize visibility even when it gets dark early.
2. Gritting obligation: Sprinkle salt or sand on smooth surfaces to reduce the risk of slipping in ice and snow.
3. Heating: Heat your construction site in winter with mobile heaters to increase the well-being of your employees and make their work easier.
4. Maintenance: Check and maintain machines and tools regularly, as they react differently in the cold.
5. Protective measures: Use weatherproof tarpaulins and temporary protective structures to protect work areas and sensitive building materials from snowfall and rain on the construction site.

Rain & storms on construction sites: your construction site plan for bad weather

However, cold is not the only risk on the construction site. Other weather conditions also pose risks for employees and the construction project. Typical bad weather phenomena include:

• Rain on construction sites: Heavy rainfall in particular often leads to slippery surfaces and therefore increases the risk of slipping or falling.
• Thunderstorms on the construction site: There is a risk of lightning strikes here, which are particularly dangerous when working at height or with metal structures.
• Storms on construction sites: In strong winds, there is a risk of construction materials and equipment blowing around and causing damage or endangering employees.

With appropriate prevention, you will be able to get these dangers under control. Use weather forecasts to act with foresight and prevent potential damage. Is heavy rain forecast or is a storm looming? Then protect your construction site by securing loose materials and equipment and erecting roofs. You should also find out about insurance cover for your construction site.

Compliance with legal requirements is just as important: According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (§ Section 3 (1) ArbSchG ), employers are obliged to take measures to protect the health and safety of their employees. This includes providing protective clothing in the event of heavy rain or particularly cold weather.

In addition to protective clothing, a place where construction workers can change and warm up – such as a heated container or construction trailer – is essential in order to adapt the working conditions on the construction site to the weather conditions and ensure the safety and well-being of the employees.

Conclusion: You have these options on the construction site in bad weather

Extreme weather on the construction site doesn’t just affect construction in winter, summer construction or heavy rain on the site can also be very stressful for everyone involved. In the event of bad weather on the construction site – be it temperatures below five degrees or a hurricane-like storm – you as the client have the following options to protect your employees:

• Adjust the work and break times. Work can also be done early in the morning or late in the evening with several shorter breaks.
• If an employee does not want to continue working because of the cold or rain, try to move them to another workplace where it is warmer or dry.
• If the extreme weather conditions are only of short duration, you have the option of giving your workers just a few hours “rain-free”.

In the construction industry, it is also common for overtime accumulated in flexitime accounts to be compensated in the event of extreme weather conditions. This means that construction workers can leave two or three hours earlier without any economic disadvantage for you as an employer.

With the mobile Time tracking from 123onsite, you can maintain an overview even in changing weather conditions and flexible working hours. The user-friendly solution helps you to efficiently record and manage your employees’ working times – even in rapidly changing conditions. Try it out and benefit from the numerous advantages of the intelligent construction software.

Picture credits: Image 1 © Enrique del Barrio/stock.adobe.com; Image 2 © Fotolyse/stock.adobe.com; Image 3 ©Superingo/stock.adobe.com