Construction is an industry with a lot of risks. But, while it is not possible to eliminate all threats from a project, you can do many things to mitigate them. For example, delays are one of the most prominent risks in construction projects. This risk comes from many sources and can seriously impact the project schedule.
Identifying Risks
Construction companies must identify risks that could impact project timelines, cost, funding and other business factors. Some of these risks include economic risks, such as recessions and inflation that can shrink market opportunities, drive up costs or dry up project funding; legal risks, since the industry is highly regulated and exposed to lawsuits; and environmental and safety risks that can threaten worker health and property. The most common construction risks are estimating and scheduling errors, worksite accidents, and delays resulting in missed deadlines. To reduce these risks, construction companies can employ best practices such as using proven estimating methods and keeping detailed records of expenses to avoid overspending or being underquoted. Another type of construction risk is material shortages or availability that can halt projects in their tracks. Construction safety services can help mitigate these issues.
Developing a Workplace Safety Plan
The construction of buildings presents a high risk for workers, especially as many projects involve work at heights-this type of work accounts for over a quarter of all deaths in the construction industry. Using ladders, mobile ramps/stairways, or scaffolding increases the likelihood of falling off, which leads to significant injuries and even death.
Guardrail play a crucial role in enhancing construction site safety, providing a protective barrier to prevent falls from elevated surfaces. Incorporating well-designed guardrails into construction projects significantly reduces the risk of accidents and injuries associated with working at heights.
Besides the safety risks, other construction risks include estimating and scheduling errors (e.g., rains pouring concrete when the concrete is supposed to be run), design changes (that can lead to cost and schedule overruns), geological risks, and environmental issues such as weather conditions. While accounting for all risks is impossible, a good construction risk management plan should help mitigate most of them. Brainstorming meetings are where the process starts, and it’s a smart idea to tap the knowledge of team members who have experience working on projects comparable to yours in a similar setting. These people can offer valuable insight into the specific project’s risks.
Developing a Risk Management Plan
It’s no secret that construction projects have a wide variety of risks. However, the reality is that many of those risks can be prevented with careful planning and communication.
Identifying and prioritizing these potential risks can help keep projects on track and within budget. The best way to do this is by analyzing the risks and ranking them according to their impact on your project and business and their probability of becoming a reality. It can be done through a simple 3×3 risk matrix. Some of the most common construction risks include safety issues like worker injuries and accidents with heavy machinery. Security risks are also a concern, as construction sites are often left vulnerable to theft and vandalism by opportunistic thieves. Environmental factors like weather conditions are another significant construction risk, as they can lead to project delays and budget overruns. Lastly, changing design and construction requirements are risk factors that can add to project costs and create scheduling conflicts.
Developing a Communication Plan
For construction projects, everyone involved must be aware of any potential risks. There are many ways to ensure that risks are communicated, including holding brainstorming sessions with the project team and reviewing past projects with similar sizes, scopes, and locations. Ensuring workers are properly trained and using the right equipment is also important. On-site accidents and injuries may be less likely as a result. Exhaustion is another common risk, as it’s easy for workers to become exhausted from long hours of hard work in harsh weather conditions. Other construction risks include incomplete or inaccurate plans, leading to delays and increased costs. Insufficient or unsuitable materials can also cause problems, so using certified and approved products is important. Finally, security risks such as theft and vandalism are common, so it’s important to have proper protection for the job site.