Downtime is a dirty word for commercial contractors, and weather is a common culprit. Every time work stops or crews slow down due to rain, snowmelt, high winds, or excessive heat or cold, the project schedule and budget suffer.
There’s no way to control Mother Nature, but contractors can take practical steps to protect their jobsites against inclement weather. These measures often pay for themselves, and then some.
The following tips help reduce mud-related delays, weather-related damage to equipment and materials, and health issues caused by extreme temperatures.
TEMPORARY STORAGE & SHELTER
Protecting tools, materials, and equipment from weather-related damage simultaneously protects budgets. Renting a weatherproof steel storage container is simple and keeps assets, from power tools to small skid steers, out of the elements and close to where crews need them. Hazardous material storage containers offer compliant protection for caustic chemicals and other hazardous materials and keep them out of the environment.
Larger, longer-term projects may benefit from a temporary warehouse. Free-span fabric structures offer a wide-open floor plan perfect for storing materials, prefabricated components, and larger equipment. These temporary warehouses double as a sheltered workspace. Snow-load models are designed to withstand the weight of snow.
FIGHT MUD WITH MATS
Rain, snow melt, and flooding can leave the ground muddy, slippery, or uneven, making it difficult and possibly unsafe to traverse the jobsite and operate equipment. Installing ground protection mats at the start of a project mitigates these challenges.
Timber or composite mats can be used to form temporary access roads, walkways, parking pads, and equipment pads as well as mud-free staging areas for equipment and materials. Timber mats create a raised surface that allows for water runoff underneath and reduces water pooling so equipment can easily traverse access areas. By preventing ruts in the ground, mats also protect against broken axles and other equipment damage.
Installing mats under temporary infrastructure keeps office trailers and storage containers level and stable and limits the amount of mud that’s tracked onto the stairs and inside. Mats placed under generators, pumps and other portable equipment keep it from sinking into wet ground or sliding down a hill.
OFFER A HEATING OR COOLING AREA
An aggressive project schedule may mean that crews need to work even during dangerously hot or cold days. Cooled or heated break areas help prevent heat stress and cold stress and raise morale. They may also satisfy the OSHA requirement to protect workers from extreme temperatures.
In summer, heavy-duty tents can be used to provide shade, especially if the area under them is cooled with an evaporative cooling fan or other temporary climate control solution. Air-conditioned office trailers provide space for a few workers at a time to cool down or take shelter from rain or hail.
In summer or winter, the same insulated temporary structures that serve as warehouses can act as break rooms or lunch rooms that offer refuge from the elements. They can be heated or cooled as necessary.
CHOOSE FENCES WITH WEATHER IN MIND
Not all temporary fences are created equal. In areas prone to high winds, severe storms or freeze/thaw cycles, contractors should opt for sturdier fencing if the budget allows, especially on longer projects. Driven-post chain link fences are among the most durable choices.
Adding heavy base weights to fencing is another option for increasing stability. These weigh as much as 50 pounds and are secured against the fence tube stand. Unlike sandbags, they don’t wear down or break. Fence stabilizers, which minimize the risk that a fence will be blown down or pushed over, also increase wind resistance. A rented assembly kit includes a fence stabilizer, tube stand, anti-lift bracket, fence coupler, and stabilizer pin.
Wind screens help keep fences upright by allowing some air to pass through while distributing the force of the wind. In addition, they reduce the dust that enters the jobsite and block small debris that can enter through chain link fence openings.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT (OR DAY)
Foggy conditions and dark or snowy winter afternoons call for temporary lighting to maintain safety and efficiency. LED light towers and other portable work lights with anti-glare and fog-penetrating bulbs can be used to illuminate work areas, paths, and zones. Portable light stands can be used to light up smaller work areas.
Contractors should choose portable work lights that feature waterproofing and are rated for outdoor use.
WORK WITH A FULL-SERVICE RENTAL PROVIDER
Creating a weather-resistant jobsite is the best defense against damage to equipment and materials caused by exposure, and against heat or cold illnesses brought on by extreme temperatures. During initial project planning, a one-stop equipment rental partner can help project managers choose temporary site infrastructure and HVAC equipment that sets projects up for success despite expected and unexpected adverse weather conditions.
As the project evolves or conditions change, a reliable partner can move ground protection mats, swap out power and HVAC equipment, add fence supports, and provide other needed assistance or equipment. They can get backup power solutions or dewatering pumps to the site quickly in the event of outages or flooding. Proactively creating a collaborative partnership can result in a more resilient jobsite, lower risks, and faster project completion.
about the author
Victoria Grandal is a content marketing specialist for United Rentals, focusing on rental industry solutions. She collaborates closely with United Rentals’ solutions teams and customers to showcase their stories and insights.