DATA CENTRE STRATEGY
“Breakneck buildout is fueling a rise in related infrastructure projects, particularly power plants, needed to fuel them”
Darren Tasker, Head of Construction, Americas, Allianz Commercial
“ Data centres are particularly hot and rapidly growing,” said Darren Tasker, Head of Construction, Americas, at Allianz Commercial.“ We’ re seeing significant-sized projects, from a billion dollars to those in the realms of US $ 20bn. This breakneck buildout is fueling a rise in related infrastructure projects, particularly power plants, needed to fuel them.”
Unseen complexity: Construction risks on the rise Likening data centres to warehouses with servers oversimplifies their intricate reality.
Today’ s facilities demand high-voltage fit-outs, advanced cooling systems and unforgiving schedules where speed can undermine safety protocols. Fire and electrical hazards, structural dangers from heavy machinery and confined spaces with poor ventilation or hazardous gases are daily risks.
“ Modern data centre construction is monumental,” notes a Zurich Resilience
Solutions report from August 2025.“ The urgency to complete these digital fortresses, driven by rising demand and massive investments, puts pressure on timelines, budgets and labour. The result: a fast-paced environment where hazards multiply, threatening both project success and worker safety.”
From falling objects to musculoskeletal injuries caused by heavy server handling, risk factors span ergonomic, chemical and environmental challenges. A lack of worker training and coordination – especially in sites with multiple contractors – can accelerate the likelihood
138 January 2026