Make your business storm-proof
During a storm, cranes can tip over, scaffolding can collapse and objects can fly around. This endangers your employees as well as bystanders. That's why you should play it safe and prepare your company for storms and thunderstorms. You can find out how to do this in our article.
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in Switzerland and the rest of the world. Storms and thunderstorms pose a real danger to all those working in exposed locations. Securing construction sites is the obvious thing to do. But attention should also be paid to employees working on steep terrain, on roofs, under trees or on high-voltage overhead lines.
We have developed a 9-point plan to ensure that you are well prepared for the next storm. It can be easily integrated into your day-to-day operations and makes a significant contribution to preventing tragic accidents and material damage caused by storms and thunderstorm cells.
1. during storms and thunderstorms: STOP!
Regardless of whether your team is trimming trees, renovating a façade or installing photovoltaic elements - if a thunderstorm or storm is approaching, say STOP early. If you react too late or not at all, the consequences can be serious.
As an employer, you have a duty to ensure safe workplaces. But when the weather pulls out all the stops, exposed outdoor areas are anything but safe. It's not just construction sites or forests that become danger zones. If, for example, large amounts of water fall in a short space of time, this leads to slippery floors and unstable slopes. Therefore: send all team members who work outdoors home or to the workshop early and wait until the weather has calmed down.
2. severe weather warning via weather app
To protect yourself and your employees, you first need to know when a storm is approaching. The weather app is an indispensable aid. Install it on your smartphone and activate the alarm. This way, you can react before black storm clouds gather over your team's heads and the first lightning strikes.
Make regular observation of the weather situation part of your routine. In this way, you not only prevent accidents, but also avert material damage. Weather apps are available for both Android and iOS.
3. storm, wind and weather as part of the planning
Incorporate any severe weather into your safety concept and emergency planning. Depending on whether there is a threat of dangerous winds, heavy rain or thunderstorms with lightning, you will always know what to do. And even if there are signs of an unexpected change in the weather, you can react quickly and efficiently and initiate the necessary safety measures.
4. avoid storm damage
Storms, thunderstorms and violent gusts of wind can lead to life-threatening situations on and around a construction site. And at any time of year. The following therefore applies not only, but especially for construction sites: anything that cannot withstand storm winds must be secured.
If winds sweep over the land or through the streets at high speed, inadequately secured elements can break loose and turn into veritable projectiles. Barriers and building materials that fly around uncontrollably are also extremely dangerous. Incidentally, this does not only apply to large objects in the event of a full-blown storm. Even violent gusts of wind are enough to cause inadequately secured formwork elements to topple over.
If you fix what can be fixed, you protect your employees, reduce material losses and have to invest less time in clean-up and repair work.
5. make the infrastructure storm-proof
Fortunately, it doesn't happen often, but it happens all the time: When the weather goes crazy, scaffolding can collapse and cranes and aerial work platforms can tip over. There is a remedy for this: plan and construct the infrastructure from the outset in such a way that no damage occurs, even in dangerous weather events with high wind speeds. scaffolding erected in accordance with the rules can withstand gusts of 114 km/h without any significant problems. However, this is only the case if nobody loosens the necessary scaffolding anchors. It is usually such unauthorized changes that cause scaffolding to collapse in heavy weather.
How to Planning and erecting scaffolding, that don't lose their grip even in stormy conditions can be found in our leaflet. And another brochure shows how you can Installing and assembling tower cranes, so that they can withstand even strong winds.
6. taboo during a storm: exposed areas
When it thunders and thunders, storms and downpours, working in cranes, on scaffolding or aerial work platforms is only for the weary. Read the operating instructions for the relevant work equipment to find out at what wind speeds it is still safe. It doesn't even need to be a storm for you to take action. If winds reach speeds of 35 to 45 km/h, it is no longer permitted to work with large objects on scaffolding, for example.
7 First check the material, then continue working
Construction sites are not only dangerous places to work during a storm. The situation can also pose a threat to life and limb afterwards. That is why your team should only get back to work after the safety of the equipment has been checked. Scaffolding must be inspected by the manufacturer to identify any damage. Only when these have been repaired and approved are your employees safe and can continue working safely.
8. cleaning up after thunderstorms and storms
Start by cordoning off hazardous areas, removing fallen timber and repairing damage with due care. If work is necessary during a storm, leave it to the professionals. Only they have specialized training for such operations. Exceptional cases include, for example, parts of buildings and fallen trees that are blocking roads.
When a storm with high wind speeds has swept through a forest, it usually resembles a battlefield. Fallen, uprooted, broken, bent and snagged trees and branches cause great instability. Anyone clearing storm damaged timber must proceed in a planned and professional manner. Without special expertise and the right equipment, this work is life-threatening. If you use suitable machines and aids such as harvesters and crane vehicles, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
You can find information on this in the Suva leaflet Safely rig storm wood. If you are interested in a corresponding Training, then visit the Suva website. Please also note the Directive on forestry work (EKAS).
9. the vital rules
We have defined specific rule sets for over twenty sectors. They form an important part of the 9-point plan. If you implement these vital rules, you will get through the year safely. Regardless of whether a storm is looming or the sun is shining brightly, we also recommend that you carry out a regular risk assessment for your business.
More about thunderstorms, lightning, hail & co.
Low pressure areas should not only concern us at work, but also in our leisure time. For example, if you set off on a mountain hike and the heavy cloud in the sky blows into the wind, you are taking a high risk. This is because thunderstorms, which are usually accompanied by lightning, are not to be trifled with in the mountains. In addition, visibility is limited, which can lead to missteps. Ignored weather warnings therefore repeatedly claim lives.
If the signs point to a storm, you and your employees should also avoid forests, forest edges and trees. Unfortunately, people are often injured or even killed by falling branches and uprooted trees. Even after a storm, it is better to avoid the forest until the dangers of storm wood have been eliminated.
The recommendation for effective protection is: stay at home during a storm.
Source: suva.ch
