Construction leaders unanimously agree that resuming work at the jobsite after a hurricane hits is a nightmare scenario.  Unfortunately, such a scenario is likely to occur that much more frequently as time progresses.  As is often said, a person’s character is revealed during times of crisis.  Embrace the opportunity to perform at your best when life throws you a curveball in the form of a hurricane or other natural disaster and you’ll motivate your construction team to follow your lead.

Demonstrate Leadership at the Jobsite After a Hurricane Hits

Genuine leaders in the construction sector and other industries are quick to highlight the qualities of trailblazers worthy of authority and respect.  A true construction leader does not ask others to follow in his or her footsteps.  Rather, a genuine leader confidently proclaims he or she will venture into the unknown first, inspiring others to do the same.

View a hurricane or other natural disaster as an opportunity to win the allegiance of your team as well as others watching from the sidelines and you’ll prime the metaphorical employment pump for months and possibly years to come.

Prepare for the Worst and Hope for the Best

Though meteorologists are getting better at predicting the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes, they still struggle to accurately gauge storm paths prior to landfall.  A hurricane that is supposedly on track for a neighboring city or town might drift in your direction, possibly resulting in a direct hit that could not be predicted until hours before arrival.  It is in your interest to prepare ahead of time by assuming the worst will occur and hope for the best.

You can prepare for hurricanes and other storms by loading up on the following:

  • Protective plastic sheeting
  • Netting
  • Ground anchors
  • Concrete anchors
  • Sandbags

Preparing a construction jobsite is only half the battle.  Take the steps necessary to safeguard construction equipment as well as progress at the jobsite and you’ll enjoy much-needed peace of mind.

Perform Damage Assessment of the Jobsite After a Hurricane Hits

Wait until the storm has cleared before returning to the jobsite.  Upon returning, assess the damage and prepare a cleanup plan.  Beware of potentially weakened structural components within buildings and standing water that might have snakes, sharp objects or downed electrical wires.  Instead of attempting to place storm-damaged remnants and debris from the construction site in plastic bags or tossing them into a pile, place them in a dumpster at the jobsite after a hurricane hits.

Water damage and water removal should be two of your primary concerns after a hurricane.  Fail to develop a clear and cogent plan to remove water from the jobsite and you will find working on the premises is not only hazardous but also inefficient.  Standing water has the potential to cause the ground to soften, eventually resulting in instability that threatens the well-being of your hardworking team as well as the building itself.

You Can’t do It all on Your Own

Segueing back to work a jobsite after a hurricane is not the type of challenge you can overcome on your own.  You will need helping hands in the form of construction foremen, laborers and others to resume work and bring the project to completion.

A construction industry recruiter will lend invaluable assistance in helping you identify and vet prospective candidates.  Recognize there is power in numbers, bolster your team with new additions and it won’t take long to resume progress at your construction jobsite after a hurricane or another storm.

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