While there is no way to completely guarantee your job site is protected from the elements, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risks posed by extreme weather events.
First, it’s important to develop and educate all employees on an emergency action plan to be followed in the event of unsafe weather conditions.
Secondly, it’s important to monitor the weather for any incoming alerts or adverse conditions. Especially for larger projects, it’s a good practice to keep in communication with local building officials about their plans for extreme weather.
As soon as a severe storm is approaching, begin working through your emergency action plan to secure, remove or protect any and all equipment that may become a flying projectile in high winds or be adversely affected by the weather.
In the event of heavy rain or wind, unwelcome debris and water may find its way into your job site. Set up water pumps before the storm and have a plan to safely remove additional water or debris after the storm has passed.
Secure the structure itself, including boarding up windows, doors and other openings and create a sandbag perimeter. Once the storm has passed, it’s vital to perform an evaluation of the job site before work can resume. Practise extreme caution during the inspection and identify what equipment and areas need to be addressed to get the job back on track.
Types of Extreme Weather
Strong Winds: High winds can bring unwanted debris into the job site, throw equipment around and, possibly, compromise the integrity of a structure.
Heavy Rain and Flooding: Water is one of the most damaging elements to any job site. Job sites with incomplete drainage may become flooded, and heavy ran can damage unprotected electrical equipment.
Winter Conditions: Winter weather brings its own unique set of exposures, many of which don’t require a storm to pose a threat to your job site and employees.
Preparing for extreme weather can prevent unnecessary workplace accidents. Contact Scrivens for more information on preparing your job site for severe weather.
