Construction sites per se are accident prone, and become more so during the rainy season. Fall from roof, ladder, or scaffold, electrocution of individuals, or injuries from stepping on sharp objects – types of accidents at a construction site can be many and can happen any time, but their chances multiply during the rainy season.

The reasons behind this are also many. Firstly, wet walkways or work areas reduce traction that may result in slip and fall accidents. Objects under rain become slippery and make it difficult for anybody to maintain control.

Secondly, the construction sites are usually littered with pieces of stones, bricks, glass, aluminum and other metals. Heavy pouring can waterlog the places at the construction site to cause injuries from such objects when walking through the water.

Thirdly, electrical points may get short circuited due to water particles in the wind, if not insulated properly. This may lead to major safety issues for the workers. 

Working in rain may also limit visibility of the workers and cause them injuries because of that. 

Therefore, being the project manager of a construction site the onus lies on you to take measures and precaution to avert accidents as much as possible and ensure undisrupted work through the rainy season. 

Getting Ready for the Rainy Season

Incessant rain, thunderstorms, and other conditions are common during the rainy season that can stall your project works and cause damages to the instruments. Even the health of the workers may become a major concern for you. 

You must be proactive to minimize the negative impacts of rain and save your project from incurring additional expenses due to these factors. Follow these safety precautions during rainy season whether you are running a civil, road, or industrial construction site:   

Ensure workers wear waterproof clothing

When working in the rain, workers should wear well-fitting waterproof protective clothing that does not obstruct their motions, such as raincoats, rain boots, and hand protection with a slip-resistant grip. When it rains walkways, rooftops, other locations and equipment become slick. To avoid falling, workers should wear proper footwear that can protect them from slipping.

Ensure protection of site and equipment from rain

It’s difficult to work in the rain. You should take precaution to prevent  water entering the job site and potentially damage your equipment. When your workers must perform their work outside, it would be better to construct a temporary shed for them. 

The usage of waterproof tarps is a cost-efficient and successful solution. Construction equipment and supplies can also be protected with tarps. For easy set-up and installation, choose high-quality tarps with grommets.

Ensure that concrete foundation and structures are built properly before the rain starts

It’s always good for a concrete structure to be exposed to rain. Thus the secret to construct a building in the rainy season is to get the foundation in place and the structure up off the ground before the rainy season starts. 

However, you require experienced workers and appropriate equipment to build the foundation and the structure. Remove any water deposit before pouring concrete on the footings. If the rain is so strong that water cannot be removed completely, concrete pouring should be postponed until a later date.

Ensure proper fencing to separate the trenches 

Excavation pits and cavities are potentially high prone areas for accidents, especially during monsoon. You must use appropriate barrier or fencing to separate the deep gorge and trenches

from walkways. Display suitable warning signs, caution tape, reflective tape, and a rotating / flickering red light, if required. 

Keep excavated earth out of trenches and pits. Backfill all gorges and cavities, which are not to be used.

Wet weather causes trench walls to cave in. Ask workers to avoid deep trenches during heavy rains unless they are certain that they are protected by a trench box or have a very solid wall.

Ensure electrical wires, junction boxes are well protected and safety rules are maintained

Electrocution and electrical short circuits are highly probable at construction sites especially during the rainy season, if safety rules are not maintained. Ensure proper insulation and protective covers for all electrical cables, junction boxes, and equipment. 

Educate workers of the electrical safety precautions during the rainy season and ask them to inform the authority if they see live wire jutting out