5 Ways Construction Welfare Units Reduce Worker Downtime on Building Sites

Careful planning goes into a successful building project. Aside from the planning, several factors determine the project's success, from the procurement of materials to the construction process. However, even the best-laid plans can go awry, leading to issues including unnecessary project delays and disruption.

Take delays in construction projects for instance. Potential delays and downtime are usually factored into a construction project plan, but if not, unplanned and unanticipated disruptions can set the project back, costing you dearly in business time, money, and reputation. 

From inadequate equipment to poor scheduling, weather delays and operator incidents, there are multiple potential causes of construction downtime. Worker shortage and absenteeism due to poor health and safety are other issues leading to building project disruption and delays. If these issues aren’t planned for or managed inadequately, your project could be at risk.

In this blog, we dig deeper into construction downtime and its causes. We’ll look at the role of construction welfare units and their contribution towards reducing worker downtime on construction sites.

Construction Downtime and Its Common Causes

Construction downtime refers to the time frame when construction operations are inactive. This period can range between a few hours to a few weeks. 

Disruptions result in downtime and set off a chain of events, from unwanted delays to organisational headaches. The following are the most common causes of downtime in construction:

• Construction material delay
• Weather disruptions
• Operator incidents
• Power outages
• Equipment issues
• Management and communication challenges
• Worker absenteeism
• Labour shortages
• Budget constraints
• Poor planning

Proper measures and strategies can help reduce the risk of worker and construction equipment downtime, benefiting your project completion. Many causes are preventable, and it’s possible to reduce the frequency of your project’s downtime by implementing appropriate welfare facilities like construction welfare units.

Let’s explore the positive impact of incorporating site welfare units on reducing worker downtime on building sites.

5 Ways Construction Welfare Units Can Reduce Worker Downtime

1. Lower Worker Absenteeism

Construction sites are challenging environments that pose many risks and hazards for all working there. Working for long hours on site alongside demanding timelines and work pressure can take a toll on your workers. 

Construction breaks give workers a chance to unwind and blow off steam. Without them though, worker morale can be compromised. Not addressing their needs or providing an inadequate setting may make your workers feel increasingly frustrated and burnt out, leading them to skip work or even quit. Absenteeism and high worker turnover can disrupt your construction schedule by increasing downtime.

Hireforce Welfare’s construction welfare units are equipped with all the necessary amenities to provide your workers with a comfortable spot to relax, recharge, feel refreshed and ready to take on the next challenge. 

Let our welfare unit range help you maintain your workforce’s well-being and morale without affecting your operations.

2. Combat Communication Challenges

A building site is a hub of constant activity in what is often a hazardous or risky environment and communication is vital for its smooth and safe operations. But communication can be challenging when teams are based on different parts of the site. Poor communication leads to errors and misunderstandings, resulting in scheduling delays and added costs. 

Additionally, discussions or disputes are better conducted in quiet, private areas. 

Having an on-site welfare unit with an office can help maintain open lines of communication between team members and avoid communication breakdowns. Our 10 and 16-man setups come with a 3-person office to hold team meetings, schedule updates, advise of new developments, and communicate shift changes. 

3. Regular Construction Breaks for Workers

Construction workforce schedules are often set tightly to meet the impending deadlines. Providing an on-site construction site break room allows your workforce to freshen up, sit, eat and relax during their breaks and keep to their schedules without having to leave the site.

Hireforce Welfare’s construction welfare unit provides a space with drinking water, a dining table, chairs with backs and a hot water facility to allow your workers to take a comfortable break. Regular and timely breaks can also boost worker productivity and avoid burnout.

4. Safety Training

In 2022, the construction industry reported the highest incidence of fatal work injuries due to equipment-related accidents. These types of accidents include falling from equipment and elevated surfaces (such as ladders) and getting struck or hit by a piece of equipment, among others. Injuries to workers are a legitimate concern, raising safety issues and potentially disrupting workflow and productivity.

With safety training on-site, you can reinforce the importance of following safety procedures and proper equipment use. You can prevent accidents from occurring by training your workers and providing appropriate safety gear and personal protective equipment.

All our construction welfare units provide workers with a dedicated space to change into safety and protection gear, with adequate storage room to store their belongings safely. Training procedure review meetings or sessions can be held in our welfare units.

5. Comply with the Law

The HSE mandates that building and construction sites have adequate and well-maintained welfare facilities for workers on site. Not complying with these regulations means not complying with the UK’s law, which translates into a criminal offence. 

Non-compliance can lead to verbal or written advice, an improvement or prohibition notice, and ultimately, prosecution if not heeded. These actions can disrupt your construction project timeline, resulting in indefinite downtime, while potentially harming your project’s and stakeholders’ reputation.

Boost Productivity with Hireforce Welfare’s Range of Construction Welfare Units

In the world of construction, where time is of the essence, you want to avoid any disruptions that could affect the progress of your project. It might not be possible to control all the factors leading to construction downtime, but you can certainly prepare for the ones in your control. 

Focus your attention on preventable worker-related downtime on your building sites. Benefit from the amenities and accessibility of our construction welfare units and provide a productive work environment for your workers.

Our range of 6-person to 16-person Ecosmart welfare units is readily available for any project, whether big or small.