Should weather create potential emergency conditions, follow these procedures.
1. The Superintendent shall decide if the project should be vacated, secured, or if work should continue.
2. If the need to vacate is urgent, the evacuation signal – three blasts from the air horn – will be sounded. The evacuation procedure should then be followed.
Lightning
In the event of a storm, or if lightning is observed, follow these procedures:
1. Crane booms shall be lowered and operators must exit the cab.
2. Operators of heavy equipment, such as forklifts, track hoes, dozers, etc. shall exit the equipment and seek shelter.
3. Workers operating man lifts shall lower the basket and exit the equipment.
4. All workers working in, on, or around reinforcing steel, structural steel, metal decking, etc. shall stop work and evacuate the area.
5. During lightning storms, workers shall seek shelter in office trailers and/or in finished structures that are lightning protected.
During the storm, the use of electrical equipment, telephones, and/or appliances is prohibited.
The following checklist should be used to ensure the safety of each contractor. The superintendent or foreman will complete the following checklist immediately prior to evacuation.
Severe Weather Preparation Checklist
Ensure that all materials, tools, tool sheds, gang boxes and small equipment that could be damaged by rising water, are removed and/or protected.
Ensure that all motorized equipment is securely parked in an elevated area so that it will not be damaged by possible flooding.
Ensure that all construction trailers, office trailers, sheds, etc. are tied down according to code. This includes office trailers and tool trailers. If you are unable to secure these facilities per code, they should be removed from the job site.
Remove or secure all items that are potential flying objects.
Pump out, secure or remove all temporary toilets.
Empty all trash dumpsters.
Top off all equipment with fuel in the event of a fuel supply shortage. This will also serve to keep water out of the equipment.
Maintain an adequate supply of duct tape for use in taping windows and be prepared to disconnect all office electrical equipment (computers, copiers, etc.)
Remove or secure any formwork that may be damaged or could become a flying object during high winds.
Ensure that you have emergency power through the use of generators.
Mobilize pumps in strategic locations to minimize flooding.
Lower all mobile crane with lattice booms to the ground. Place all tower crane booms in neutral so they will “wind vane” during high winds.