Vulnerabilities and Collective Resilience: Implications of Climate Change and Extreme Weather for Construction Workers

Climate change is a global phenomenon with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, societies, and economies. Among occupational groups, outdoor workers—such as farmers, road crews, and construction workers—are particularly exposed to climate-related weather changes such as heat waves, strong winds and heavy rainfalls. This paper examines how Swedish construction workers experience and respond to what they perceive as extreme weather conditions. The aim is to identify key characteristics of workers’ vulnerabilities and to discuss potential pathways toward more resilient working conditions. The study is based on a qualitative survey and draws on Stefania Barca’s theory of socio-ecological relations to conceptualize three interrelated forms of vulnerability: accentuated, political, and resilient vulnerability. Accentuated vulnerability is expressed through workers’ accounts of how extreme weather increases physical and mental strain, as well as exposure to occupational risks. Political vulnerability reflects an antagonistic relationship to existing power relations in the construction sector and an orientation toward change. The concept of resilient vulnerability may appear paradoxical, but it captures workers’ reflections on how construction work could be organized in more sustainable ways, while acknowledging that vulnerability cannot be fully eliminated given the inherently manual and outdoor nature of construction labor.