Each year lightning causes dozens of death, thousands of fire, and billions of dollars in property damage. Most lightning damage occurs during the summer months. However, lightning can occur year round, so when working outdoors, it's important to pay attention to the weather and take appropriate action when a thunderstorm is approaching.
Employees who work outdoors in open spaces, on or adjacent to tall objects, near explosives or conductive materials are vulnerable to lightning strikes. Industries at risk include construction, telecommunication, petrochemicals, etc.
Some lightning safety tips to protect your business against lightning
- Include an emergency action plan or a safety protocol for lightning
- Make your workers aware of lightning safety warning and identifying locations for safe shelter.
- Post safety information about lightning at worksites and train your workers to follow them
- Managers at worksites must check the weather forecast before work begins and consider rescheduling work to avoid hazardous weather.
- Likewise, they should keep track of weather conditions and move to safer locations if thunder is heard or a storm is approaching.
- Have workers unplug any electrical tools and stow them quickly out of the way
- Move to a fully enclosed building and stay in the shelter for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last round of thunder
- Install a lightning protection system to safeguard your structure and assets from a lightning strike
- Surge protection is absolutely essential to protect your business from transient or surge voltage and ensure peace of mind
- Avoid touching, handling and proximity to any metallic objects for example towers, metal parts of vehicles, power lines, pipes or rails.
- If caught in the open, crouch down with your feet together, but with minimal contact with the ground.
Installing a lightning protection system is imperative but following the lightning safety tips is also important. Through the storm, it's important to stay inside a structure and avoid water and electrical sources. In addition, using wired electrical equipment, hand-held tools, and appliances even landline telephones should be avoided.
Lightning Eliminator & Consultants Inc., will help you plan ahead and stay safe. We help you take steps to protect yourself and your property against nature’s most dangerous occurrences.