These are phenomena of natural origin, such as earthquakes, floods and storms, which can have a devastating impact on infrastructure, housing and human activities. These often unpredictable events pose major challenges for the safety of people and the protection of property. It is therefore essential to understand these risks so that we can better anticipate and manage them, and limit their consequences.
These are a major threat to building and public worksites, as they have a direct impact on the stability and safety of structures under construction. Earthquakes, for example, pose a significant threat to the foundations and structure of buildings. In seismic zones, ground movements can cause cracks and even collapse, compromising the integrity of the structure. Seismic standards are therefore crucial in minimising these risks.
Landslides are another feared geological phenomenon, particularly in mountainous or hillside areas. They often occur following heavy rainfall or saturation of the ground with water, leading to a sudden displacement of masses of earth. These landslides can not only destabilise structures under construction, but also bury parts of the worksite, endangering the lives of workers and delaying work.
These are of particular concern in the construction and public works sector because of their unpredictability and potentially devastating impact on worksites. Flooding, for example, is one of the most common climatic risks. They can submerge worksites, disrupting work and causing major damage to materials and equipment. They also cause considerable delays and additional costs for restoring worksites.
Storms and high winds are another major risk, particularly for temporary structures such as cranes, scaffolding and buildings under construction. These phenomena can cause equipment to collapse or fall, endangering the safety of workers and causing major material damage. Good risk management therefore includes emergency plans to secure these structures against bad weather.
Heatwaves, meanwhile, have multiple effects on worksites. In addition to the increased risks to workers’ health (heat stroke, dehydration), excessive heat can alter the quality of the materials used, such as concrete, which dries too quickly, or bitumen, which becomes unstable. These conditions often mean that work schedules have to be adjusted to avoid the hottest periods of the day, which can cause delays in the progress of work.
During the winter or in mountainous areas, snow and ice represent major challenges. These weather conditions make surfaces slippery and dangerous, increasing the risk of accidents on the worksite. They can also cause major delays, as work often has to be interrupted or slowed down until conditions improve. Managing these risks includes implementing snow removal measures and using non-slip materials to ensure safety on the worksite.
Hydrological risks, such as flash floods and river overflows, also pose a major hazard for public worksites. These phenomena can occur rapidly, often without warning, and flood work areas, damaging infrastructure under construction and considerably delaying work. Water management on the worksite, including the installation of effective drainage systems, is essential to minimise the impact of these events.
Coastal erosion is another hydrological risk that particularly threatens buildings in coastal areas. The erosion of beaches and cliffs by waves and sea currents can weaken the foundations of buildings located close to the shore. This can lead to gradual deterioration or even the total destruction of structures. For projects located by the sea, measures such as the construction of dykes or revegetation of the coastline are often necessary to protect structures against erosion.
Beyond Asset and its MyMaintenance module are essential for managing natural risks thanks to two main functions: preventive planning and rapid reaction.
MyMaintenance makes it possible to schedule specific interventions before high-risk seasons (such as rain or storms) to reinforce infrastructures and avoid breakdowns. By anticipating the impact of climatic events, potential damage can be reduced.
In the event of a natural event, MyMaintenance centralises emergency protocols and monitors equipment in real time. This enables a rapid and coordinated response, prioritising interventions on the most vulnerable assets, thereby limiting interruptions and damage.
