Heatwave: 70% of construction workers are adapting their working hours

According to a survey of more than 2.200 companies, 70% of tradespeople have already adapted their working hours, while the need for renovation and adaptation of buildings to climate change continues to grow.

The extreme heat, the first climatic hazard for building tradespeople

Heat waves are now the main climatic hazard facing small construction businesses, ahead of rainfall, floods, cold weather or snowstorms.

According to a survey conducted by CAPEB between May 21 and June 12 among more than 2.200 craft businesses, 91% of respondents report being exposed to heat episodes, while 7 out of 10 companies have observed an intensification of climatic hazards over the past five years.

Faced with increasingly difficult working conditions on construction sites, 70% of companies have already adjusted their schedules to avoid the hottest times of the day. Furthermore, 28% have invested in appropriate technical clothing, and 8% have made use of the inclement weather unemployment scheme.

These consequences are disrupting construction sites.

Although the high temperatures cause relatively little damage to premises and equipment – ​​81% of companies report having suffered no material damage – they greatly disrupt the organization of craft businesses and the progress of construction sites.

The main difficulties concern construction delays (58%), adapting working hours (55%), increased employee fatigue, demotivation or sick leave (53%), and disruption to business operations (49%). Added to this is growing pressure on managers: 62% of them report feeling increased stress due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

The economic consequences are also significant. Between 1.000 and 1.300 companies have assessed the financial impact of these disruptions, estimating median losses at five days of work and 4.800 euros in revenue.

Finally, CAPEB points out that not all trades are exposed in the same way. Masonry and tiling activities are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat, while electrical and plumbing/heating companies appear relatively less affected.

An adaptation still largely based on the experience of the craftsmen

Beyond adjusting working hours, small businesses are gradually developing new practices to anticipate periods of extreme heat. Nearly half of all businesses now regularly consult weather forecasting apps to adapt their worksite organization and mitigate the risks associated with heatwaves.

For CAPEB, this adaptability still relies primarily on the experience and pragmatism of tradespeople. However, the organization believes it should be further supported by preventative measures, appropriate tools, and policies that take into account the realities of very small construction businesses.

Building adaptation: a booming market

Beyond the difficulties encountered on construction sites, the survey highlights an evolution in the needs expressed by individuals and project owners. Small businesses are seeing an increase in demand related to adapting buildings to climate change, particularly for roof repairs after damage, improving summer comfort through cooling solutions, as well as insulation and heating work.

For CAPEB, this development confirms that renovation must no longer simply address the challenges of winter energy performance, but also strengthen the resilience of buildings to heat waves and extreme weather events. The organization therefore calls for better structuring of building adaptation work to meet these new challenges.

CAPEB is calling for better support for craft businesses.

This investigation comes at a time when employers' obligations regarding heatwave prevention are being strengthened in the construction sector. While the CAPEB (Confederation of Craft and Small Construction Businesses) reiterates that protecting employee health remains an absolute priority during heatwaves and periods of extreme heat, it believes that the economic consequences of slowdowns or work stoppages cannot fall solely on small businesses.

The organization is therefore calling on public authorities to adapt existing measures, particularly the inclement weather scheme and partial unemployment benefits, to better support very small businesses in the construction sector. The goal is to allow companies to compensate for lost working hours, preserve their cash flow, and continue operating without jeopardizing their financial stability.

For Jean-Christophe Repon, president of CAPEB: "Employee health is non-negotiable. When weather conditions force companies to slow down or halt a construction project, they must be able to do so without jeopardizing their economic stability. If society imposes these adjustments, it must also share the consequences."

A phased renovation to sustainably adapt housing

Beyond emergency measures, CAPEB emphasizes the central role of building tradespeople in adapting the building stock to the effects of climate change. For the organization, energy renovation must improve both building performance, summer comfort, and the resilience of homes to climate hazards.

CAPEB therefore advocates a phased renovation approach, based on complementary single actions carried out in the correct order: roof insulation, window and door replacement, improved ventilation, thermal regulation, and treatment of the building envelope. This progressive approach should allow for a lasting improvement in the energy performance of homes, without neglecting their adaptation to heat waves and periods of extreme heat.

For Jean-Christophe Repon, president of CAPEB: “Faced with increasing climate risks, we must prioritize a phased renovation, based on consistent, single actions carried out in the right order. This simple and effective approach allows for the long-term adaptation of housing by relying on building professionals. Heat pumps have their place, but they do not replace work on the building envelope, on which their performance depends.”

Beyond the emergency measures designed to protect workers on construction sites, this survey highlights a lasting evolution in the needs of the building sector. It confirms that adapting to climate change is now a structural challenge for the industry, placing construction tradespeople at the heart of the transformation and resilience of the building stock.

To remember

• 70% of construction workers have adjusted their working hours in response to the extreme heat.
• 91% of craft businesses report being exposed to heatwave episodes.
• Construction delays affect 58% of the companies surveyed.
• The need for summer comfort, energy-efficient renovation, and building adaptation is increasing.
• CAPEB is calling for changes to the weather-related compensation scheme and partial unemployment benefits in order to better protect very small businesses in the construction sector.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.