Wind Hazards

Weather plays an important role on how we work safely on our job sites. High wind is a component of weather that can pose many hazards for workers. Our task is to: protect our workers and the public from hazards on a construction site; provide securement; and facilitate safe passage.

Hazards created by wind can include, but are not limited to:

• Unplanned movement of equipment
• Objects falling from elevated surfaces
• Struck-by incidents, due to objects blown around
• Eye injuries caused by flying dust and debris
• Equipment damage due to being tipped over by forceful winds
• Dropped loads while performing a lift in high winds
• Increased loads on tarped or hoarded structures causing a tip-over or collapse
• Failure of scaffold hoarding and site fencing due to improper material and design

Eliminating/mitigating hazards related to high winds

• Eliminate the hazards by stopping a work task that poses a hazard due to wind conditions (i.e., roof work, lifting operations)
• Jobs involving aerial lifts, cranes and sheathing materials must be properly evaluated with wind conditions
• Different or additional PPE may be required (goggles vs. safety glasses against flying dust and debris)
• Do not react or reach for dropping objects (i.e. losing a hardhat in the wind). This can result in slips, falls and strain/sprains
• Do not place hands in or near equipment that may rotate or move due to high winds

STOP DANGER / STOP DEFECTS

*Tool Box Talk based on GC submitted by Eric Cameron – Exelon Mystic Station