Three-quarters of construction workers are concerned about the impact of climate change on site safety as the UK prepares for winter.
Storm Eowyn in January 2025 was the most powerful windstorm in the UK for more than a decade, bringing red warnings, severe impacts and a number of fatalities.
It saw gusts of up to 92 miles an hour, with a million homes without power at the peak of the storm.
Paul Goossens, operations director at SafeSite Facilities, which commissioned the research, said: “As winter approaches the implication for construction sites of further major storms is obvious, with many workers feeling their sites are unprepared. With rising temperatures in summer there are now major threats across all seasons.
“It’s clear concern about the impact of climate change is running high across the construction industry with many having experienced the effects of climate change on site already.
“Construction sites managers need to start thinking seriously about preparing for winter, especially when it comes to health and safety.
“It’s likely we will need to deal with multiple storms hitting 50 to 100 miles per hour and the risks on site will multiply fast. Every site should have a clear winter safety strategy in place which plans for an uptick in extreme weather.”
Some 54% of workers said sites have been closed down at least two times over the last five years because of climate change events.
A quarter (25%) say their site is unprepared for extreme heat, lightning or flooding; 22% say their site is unprepared for storms and 17% for high winds; and for wildfires the proportion is even higher, at 30%.
Workers said they have already suffered from injuries due to: Heat stress and heatstroke (25%); slips and falls due to ice, snow or flooding (25%); high winds destabilising scaffolding, cranes, temporary structures (23%); electrical hazards (23%); feeling too cold to work (21%); sunburn (21%); and frostbite (15%).
The survey was conducted by Censuswide across August and September 2025 and it reached 500 UK construction professionals aged 18-55.
Dr Lowellyne James, HSEQ manager at Safesite Facilities, added: “As climate change intensifies construction businesses must recognise the growing impact on site safety and workforce wellbeing.
“Rising temperatures, extreme weather and climate-related anxieties will continue to contribute to increased absenteeism and mental health strain.
“To mitigate these risks, companies should consider implementing resilience and mental health training, establishing structured communication platforms for worker concerns and aligning wellbeing strategies.
“Prioritising psychological safety alongside physical protections helps build a more resilient workforce and ensures operations are better prepared for future climate challenges.”
