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Building Resilience on Your Construction Worksite: Preparing for Extreme Weather, Power Cuts, and Other Challenges


In recent years, the New Zealand construction industry has faced an increasing number of challenges due to extreme weather events, power cuts, road closures, pandemics, and global political impacts. These factors can significantly disrupt project timelines and budgets, posing risks to site safety, access, supply chains, and workforce resilience. For property owners and developers, building resilience into your project worksite is essential to navigate these uncertainties and ensure successful project delivery. Here are some key strategies to enhance the resilience of your construction site.

 


Ensuring Robust Site Safety Measures

Ensuring site safety is paramount, especially during extreme weather events or other emergencies. Implement comprehensive safety protocols that include regular training and drills for all site personnel. Equip your site with emergency supplies such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and emergency shelters.


Develop a clear evacuation plan and ensure that all workers are familiar with it. Prioritising safety helps mitigate risks and protect your workforce during unforeseen events. For instance, Fletcher Construction in New Zealand emphasises regular safety drills and robust evacuation plans, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters like earthquakes.


Securing Reliable Access

Road closures and transportation disruptions can severely impact project timelines. To mitigate these risks, establish multiple access routes to your site. Maintain good relationships with local authorities to stay informed about potential closures or detours.


Consider using technology such as GPS tracking to monitor and manage the movement of supplies and personnel. This ensures timely access even during disruptions. For example, during the Christchurch rebuild, having multiple access points and real-time tracking of resources was key to maintaining project schedules amidst frequent road closures.


Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience

Supply chain disruptions can lead to significant delays and cost overruns. Build a resilient supply chain by diversifying your suppliers and sourcing materials locally whenever possible. Establish contingency plans with your suppliers to ensure alternative arrangements can be made in case of disruptions.


Maintain an adequate inventory of essential materials on-site to buffer against supply delays. This approach was effectively demonstrated by the New Zealand Transport Agency during the Kaikoura earthquake recovery, where local sourcing and robust contingency planning were pivotal.


Enhancing Workforce Resilience

Your workforce is a critical asset. Invest in their well-being and training to ensure they can adapt to changing conditions. Provide mental health support and encourage open communication to address any concerns promptly.


Develop flexible work arrangements and ensure access to necessary protective equipment and resources for safe working conditions. For example, Downer Group in New Zealand has implemented comprehensive mental health support and flexible work policies, enhancing workforce resilience and project success. A resilient workforce can make a substantial difference in maintaining productivity and morale during challenging times.


Leveraging Technology

Technology can play a significant role in enhancing site resilience. Utilise project management software to monitor progress, manage resources, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders. Implement Building Information Modelling (BIM) to improve planning and coordination, reducing the risk of errors and delays.


Consider using drones and remote monitoring systems to keep track of site conditions and progress, even when physical access is restricted. In New Zealand, Hawkins Construction uses drones for site monitoring, significantly enhancing project oversight. By leveraging these technologies, you can ensure greater efficiency and accuracy in managing construction projects.


Planning for Power Cuts

Power cuts can halt construction activities and affect site safety. Prepare for power outages by investing in backup power solutions such as fuel and/or wind generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Ensure that critical systems, such as lighting, security, and communication tools, are connected to these backup power sources.


Regularly test your backup systems to ensure they are functional and ready for use when needed. The Auckland Council's infrastructure projects often include robust backup power solutions to mitigate the impact of power cuts. Planning ahead for such contingencies ensures that projects can continue with minimal disruption.


Adapting to Global and Political Impacts

Global and political events can affect everything from material costs to regulatory requirements. Stay informed about global trends and geopolitical developments that could impact your project. Engage with industry associations and networks to gain insights and share best practices.


Being proactive and adaptable can help you navigate these external challenges more effectively. The New Zealand Institute of Building regularly updates its members on global and political developments, helping them stay ahead of potential impacts. Adapting to these changes promptly can safeguard your project against unforeseen disruptions.


Maintaining Flexibility and Adaptability

Flexibility and adaptability are key to building resilience. Develop a culture that embraces change and encourages innovative solutions to problems. Regularly review and update your risk management plans to address new and emerging threats.


Encourage collaboration and open communication among all stakeholders to ensure that everyone is aligned and prepared to respond to challenges. For instance, the collaborative approach adopted in the Waterview Tunnel project in Auckland facilitated effective problem-solving and adaptability, contributing to its success. By fostering a culture of adaptability, your projects can better withstand and overcome obstacles.



Building resilience into your construction worksite is essential to navigate the myriad challenges posed by extreme weather, power cuts, road closures, pandemics, and global political impacts. By implementing robust safety measures, securing reliable access, strengthening your supply chain, enhancing workforce resilience, leveraging technology, planning for power cuts, adapting to global impacts, and maintaining flexibility, you can ensure that your project remains on track and achieves success, even in the face of adversity.

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