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Allied Insight: Wet Weather Work & Hurricane Prep

Posted on by Mike Viola

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Wet Weather Work & Hurricane Prep

Work safe in inclement weather

Construction happens in all kinds of weather. Knowing how to work safely in wet or inclement weather can help reduce the chances of equipment failure, injuries, or even loss of life.
For example, if a hurricane or other major storm is set to make landfall around the Mid-Atlantic coast, areas up and down the entire East Coast will feel the storm’s effects. Hazards such as rain, lightning, high winds, and cave-ins/landslides pose serious safety risks to workers and equipment. For those directly in the storm’s path, steps should be taken to best secure your site/property/equipment to minimize any potential loss.
Below are some preventative Wet Weather Work Safety Tips:
  1. Watch Your Step: Obviously rain makes surfaces more slippery. On construction sites this can apply to almost every place you walk on…mud, metal, wood, etc…all are made very slippery when wet. Take your time and watch your step.
  2. Dress For Success: Wearing the proper rain gear and foot wear helps protect against multiple hazards such as slipping and hypothermia.
  3. The Right Tools: To protect against electrocution and other tool related injuries, be sure to use power tools and equipment that has been rated for outdoor use.
  4. Work on Stable Ground: Keep an eye out for and stay clear of areas that might be prone to cave-ins and landslides due to excessive rain. Also ensure any elevated platforms or scaffolding is safe from potential collapse by inspecting the ground below it.
  5. See & Be Seen: In inclement weather, safety glasses can sometimes fog up and impair your vision. You can use anti-fog sprays or wipes prior to use. Also, wear high-visibility clothing so others can spot you through the elements.
  6. Don’t Get Blown Away: Like rogue waves at sea, sudden gusts of high winds can cause catastrophic damage and injuries. You should always be monitoring winds, especially during inclement weather, to help prevent worker falls, equipment damage (such as cranes), and structure collapses.
  7. Lightning Quick: Workers should be kept away from cranes, exposed steel framework, and other equipment or building features that can act as lightning rods.

***If you are located in an area directly in the path of a hurricane, you can visit OSHA’s Emergency Hurricane Preparation Page to help protect your organization and its people from the coming storm.***

Download OSHA’s Lightning Storm Safety Fact Sheet

This message is to be used only for general reference purposes. It summarizes certain publicly available information, but it is not legal advice, and Allied Insurance Brokers disclaims any representation or warranty that the materials contained herein are accurate. Allied Insurance Brokers is not a law firm or accounting firm, and does not provide legal or accounting advice; you should engage your own lawyer or accountant if you have questions about these material. Allied does not deem the above information and any attached documents as a complete and thorough listing or overview of the above topic, and does not recommend it be primarily relied upon as such. It only highlights some common issues and resolutions.