Calls to get ahead for site cooling amid soaring temperatures and construction sector surge

Amid forecasts of a major boom in UK construction, Aggreko is advising construction managers to take steps to protect site productivity and worker welfare as extreme heat increasingly becomes the norm on building sites nationwide.

The call follows the Glenigan 2025 Summer Forecast predicting a 24 per cent growth in UK construction over the next three years, alongside recent Met Office warnings of unseasonably high summer temperatures and prolonged heat-related risks. According to the BBC, the UK is now more than twice as likely to experience a hotter-than-average summer, with 2025 expected to continue the trend of intensifying heat from 2015 onwards.

Aggreko’s recent report, Building in Resilience: Weather-proofing European Construction in a Changing Climate, covers this issue in further depth, finding that over 70 per cent of UK construction managers have experienced major weather-related delays, with extreme heat cited as the most significant threat to ongoing works. These delays are financial as well as operational, with 39 per cent of UK respondents reporting penalties due to weather-related disruptions.

With infrastructure investment on the rise, Aggreko is encouraging construction companies to secure the necessary equipment to maintain safe and efficient working conditions for future projects. This includes not only industrial chillers, but also air handling units designed to ensure the ventilation required for a safe and productive work environment, reducing heat stress on workers and equipment.

Tom Adlington, UK Construction Sector Sales Manager for Construction at Aggreko, said: “While the Glenigan forecast signals a strong period of growth for UK construction, our research shows that extreme heat could put this progress at risk. Rising temperatures can lead to equipment failure, material damage and health risks for workers on site.

“By planning ahead and working with experienced partners, businesses can ensure they have access to the right ventilation and temperature control solutions. This is key to keeping projects on track and people safe.

“As we look ahead to a period of accelerated growth in UK construction, it is vital companies do not overlook the operational risks posed by extreme weather. Through proper planning and ensuring access to the right equipment now, project stakeholders will be well-placed to withstand hotter and more challenging conditions when they arise.”