Modern construction safety is no longer just about hard hats and hazard talks. On large, fast-moving projects, safety depends on real-time awareness, accurate data, and automated communication—especially when weather conditions can change minute by minute.

On a 400-acre data center project outside Reno, Nevada, Whiting-Turner is operating in a desert climate with intense heat, high winds, and complex microclimates. With a workforce exceeding 1,200 today and expected to peak near 3,000, the margin for error is slim.

As Project Manager Tom Travis explains:

“We’re running a very large job site with a lot of subcontractors, and safety is by far and away the primary driver for us.”

To meet that standard, Whiting-Turner adopted an integrated approach to construction safety software and construction weather safety, combining workforce access control with hyperlocal weather intelligence.

‍

Why Weather Is a Critical Construction Safety Risk

Weather is one of the most underestimated hazards on construction sites. Wind, heat, lightning, and air quality directly affect crane operations, elevated work, and worker health.

Tom Travis points to a common industry problem:

“What they see at the airport may not necessarily reflect what we’ve got here.”

On this project, the nearest airport weather station is roughly 20 miles away—and surrounding mountains significantly influence wind patterns. Relying on generalized weather apps previously caused unnecessary shutdowns or delayed responses.

“That was probably the biggest limitation. We didn’t really have anything that was truly site-specific.”

Construction Weather Safety Requires Hyperlocal Data

To solve this, Whiting-Turner deployed an on-site weather station paired with automated alerting through Perry Weather.

This enables real-time monitoring of:

• Sustained wind and wind gusts

• Lightning proximity and all-clear timing

• Heat index and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)

• Air quality and visibility

• Severe weather events

“Having that system locally—actually right on top of the trailer I’m in—gives us peace of mind. We know it’s site-specific.”

From a safety perspective, accuracy matters as much as speed:

“We know when there are gusts over 25 miles an hour. That’s critical for cranes and aerial work.”

Automating Alerts Without Creating Noise

One of the biggest challenges in construction safety communication is over-alerting. Too many irrelevant messages cause workers to ignore the ones that matter.

Whiting-Turner addressed this by integrating weather alerts with their workforce access control system, Iris.

“The last thing you want is someone off site getting a stand-down message that doesn’t affect them.”

Instead, alerts are automatically sent to:

All Whiting-Turner employees

Only workers who are actively badged into the site

“Anyone who’s physically on site gets the alert. It works out very well.”

This ensures fast response without unnecessary disruption.

From Lightning Stand-Downs to All-Clear Automation

Construction weather safety isn’t just about stopping work—it’s about restarting safely and quickly.

Tom highlights the importance of automation here:

“If we end up with lightning, we have a shelter-in-place. One of the nice functions is that after a given period with no lightning, it sends an all-clear notice automatically.”

This eliminates manual guesswork, radio chatter, and delays.

“It’s something that just works in the background. We don’t have to scramble or figure things out.”

Balancing Safety, Productivity, and Schedule Pressure

On this project, Whiting-Turner operates 24/7 to meet aggressive delivery timelines. Shutting down too early—or restarting too late—can have major cost and schedule impacts.

“We’ve all heard it: ‘We shut down the site and we didn’t need to.’ That’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

Accurate, automated construction safety software allows teams to maintain momentum without compromising worker protection.

“We want to keep pushing forward with work, but safety is the primary. Having more accurate information makes that possible.”

Reducing Tool Fatigue Through Integrated Construction Safety Software

Large projects already suffer from software overload. Adding another app often creates friction instead of value.

Tom describes the difference when systems are integrated:

“Once we set it up, we really don’t have to do anything. It just works in the background.”

This matters when safety teams are stretched thin.

“We have six full-time safety professionals just from Whiting-Turner, plus safety managers from every trade partner. Anything that gives time back is huge.”

Documentation, Compliance, and Claims Support

Beyond real-time alerts, automated weather tracking creates a permanent record of site conditions.

“The system documents everything. If you have a force majeure event or a claim, it’ll save and print all that data.”

For large projects, this historical record is critical for:

• Delay claims

• Schedule impacts

• Compliance audits

• Owner reporting

What This Means for Construction Safety Leaders

This project demonstrates a shift in how leading contractors approach safety:

• Construction safety is data-driven

• Weather safety must be hyperlocal

• Automation reduces risk and human error

• Integrated systems outperform standalone apps

As Tom summarizes:

“We’re super happy with both systems, and we’re glad they’re working together.”

FAQs: Construction Safety, Software, and Weather Monitoring

What is construction weather safety?

Construction weather safety is the proactive monitoring and response to environmental conditions—such as wind, heat, lightning, and air quality—that pose risks to workers and operations.

Why is hyperlocal weather important on construction sites?

Conditions can vary dramatically from nearby airports or cities. On-site sensors provide accurate data that prevents unnecessary shutdowns and missed hazards.

How does construction safety software improve weather response?

By automating alerts, targeting only workers on site, and issuing all-clear notifications, safety software reduces delays, confusion, and manual intervention.

What weather conditions should construction sites monitor?

Common conditions include wind speed and gusts, lightning distance, heat index, WBGT, air quality, precipitation, and severe weather alerts.

How does weather documentation help contractors?

Recorded weather data supports delay claims, compliance reporting, and historical analysis—especially on large or schedule-critical projects.

‍