Stormy weather isn’t only a problem for those on the road. It can also be an issue for those who work outside. Practicing good storm safety is important for when the weather turns bad. That way, you can be sure you’re safe while waiting out the storm…
Storm Safety: Handle Bad Weather
Check ahead of time
The first part of a good storm safety plan is checking the weather ahead of time. Most of the danger from storms comes from being caught off-guard. If you don’t know that a storm might be coming later in the day, then you probably won’t plan accordingly. This can cause issues when the storm actually does hit your work site.
Therefore, be sure you check the weather before any work begins. That will allow you to know if you’ll be able to work as usual or if you should expect rough weather. Once you know bad weather is coming, you can manage your work and response accordingly.
Take cover
When a storm hits, the last place you want to be is outside. Storms tend to bring along high winds, which can also throw debris around. In some cases, it can even knock over trees, power lines, or street lamps! Instead, you should take cover somewhere safe and wait for the storm to pass.
The safest place to go is inside a completed building. That means the building has a solid foundation, a roof, walls, doors, and windows. Have everyone get as close to the center of the building as they can. Then, wait for the storm to pass. If no building is available, then taking cover in a car is the next-best option.
Remove metal
On top of high winds and heavy rain, lighting strikes can be also be very dangerous. Now, contrary to what most people think, metal doesn’t actually attract lightening. However, metal is a conductor of electricity, meaning if lighting does strike it, you could end up with pretty severe burns.
As a result, be sure to remove anything metallic as part of your storm safety procedures. That also means avoid touching anything metallic or any electric equipment. For example, if you’re in your car, don’t touch the doors or radio just in case.