The Dangers of High Wind The Dangers of High Wind Company Harlan McPhee North McPhee South Powerhawke Ravex Richards Company Using the Form Job Name * Job Name and/or Number Date * The Dangers of High Wind Weather can play a huge role in our ability to work safely when working outdoors. While rain, snow, ice, and hot temperatures are often discussed, less focus is given to the hazards wind can create for workers. It is important to realize the different hazards high winds can pose and what can be done to work safely in these conditions. Hazards Created by the Wind The exact scope of work will determine what hazards high winds can create on your worksite. Some hazards created by high winds that are universal for many construction jobs are: • Strains/ sprains due to wind forcefully pulling doors from operator’s hands. • Struck-by incidents due to objects being blown around or workers being blown into structures or materials. • Slips, trips, falls due to workers reacting to a falling hardhat or object due to wind blowing these items from them. • Eye injuries due to small particles of flying debris and dust. • Dropped loads while completing lifts with wind present. • Objects falling from elevated surfaces. Best Practices to Eliminate Hazards and Injuries Related to High Winds: • Eliminate work tasks altogether that become dangerous in excessively windy conditions. • Park trucks and equipment where the wind is blowing against the opposite side that the operator exits and enters. • Do not reach or react to dropping an object or losing a hardhat to the wind. This can be very dangerous especially when you are on an elevated surface. If high winds are expected, contact your safety department to obtain chin straps. • Do not attempt to conduct lifting operations during high wind events. Follow all manufacturer’s guidelines for performing operations and operating equipment. The crane operator is responsible for the safety of the operation and has the final say on whether to proceed or not. • Be aware that certain lifts (aerial lifts, scissor lifts, etc.) have wind speed restrictions. These can be found in the operator’s manual or posted on the machine itself. Do not ignore these restrictions. • Never stand in the line of fire- whether that is below a lifted load, next to a truck dumping material, or downwind from blowing dust. • Wear at minimum safety glasses, but also consider going to a goggle if conditions warrant their use. Summary Preplanning of tasks is critical to ensure a solid start to working safely on a construction site. This plan needs to be communicated to the crew through the morning tailboard to make sure that everyone is aware of the potential for wind to cause a problem. Weather is a major factor in what tasks can or cannot be done on a particular day. When high winds are going to be present, plan work accordingly. Avoid certain tasks during high wind events as well as implement extra safeguards to ensure safety during the normal job tasks. Additional Comments Foreman Name * Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) reCAPTCHA Picture Upload Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum upload size: 52.43MB Submit Δ
