Protecting Workers in Bad Weather Conditions

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PROTECTING WORKERS IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS
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INTRODUCTION
Raging hurricanes, storms, and generally
unfavorably windy and wet weather conditions are
occurring more and more each year. These extreme
weather conditions pose a threat to not only the
public but to businesses necessitating employers
to provide a safe working environment to
employees. As such, employers should prepare for
the hazards associated with adverse weather
conditions that may require special facilities
and safety equipment being provided to employees,
or in some instances, work stoppage to ensure the
safety and health of workers. Wet weather and
high wind conditions can pose a greater threat to
employees working in the construction, mining,
oil and gas, and shipbuilding industries.
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HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS
There are many hazards associated with bad
weather that depend on the work task of the
workers. Most of these hazards would result in
health hazards to workers and can also lead to
workplace fatalities. Let us quickly review a few
hazards that workers would be exposed to.

• Being struck by lightning
• Electrocution
• Slipping and Tripping
• Floods
• Drowning

• Loss of balance
• Being unable to leave a job site
• Falls and related injuries
• Falling objects
• Cold Stress

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WORKING ON SCAFFOLDS
Many construction workers are bound to work on
scaffolds while carrying out their job tasks.
This exposes them to many of the hazards listed
above, making the employer responsible for
providing safe working conditions for employees.
It is worth noting that the OSHA standard on
scaffolding prohibits workers from working on
scaffolds during high wind conditions and in wet
weather. However, the standard does provide some
leeway by allowing workers to do so if a
competent person has deemed it safe to work on a
scaffold, and workers are protected by a personal
fall arrest system or windscreens.
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WORKING AT HEIGHTS / FALL PROTECTION
Workers working at heights are endangered due to
the adverse weather elements. They can be struck
by lightning or lose balance due to raging winds.
Thus, protecting workers who work at heights
should be a priority for employers.
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WORKING IN OPEN SPACES
Often work tasks require employees to work in
open spaces. This is especially true for workers
in the construction industry and those involved
in roadworks, and even window cleaners of
high-rise buildings. Business organizations
involved in such operations must have in place
adequate worker protections to ensure their
health and safety during adverse weather
conditions ensuring they are protected from
falls, falling objects, and even electrocution if
in proximity to metals.
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WORKING WITH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Workers must be made aware of the dangers of
working with electrical equipment during storms.
If required, equip workers with equipment that is
suitable for use in wet weather conditions. More
importantly, protect workers by requiring them to
wear rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes that do
not conduct electricity. Ensure workers keep the
required distances from powerlines and open
electrical equipment.
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WORKING WITH HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
During bad weather, visibility is an issue.
Hence, using heavy equipment and machinery can be
dangerous as this may increase the possibility of
accidents occurring, thereby raising the risks to
worker safety.
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WORKING IN EXCAVATIONS AND TRENCHES
When it is raining, excavations and trenches must
be safeguarded against the threat of flooding and
soil erosion. In the case of deep excavation, a
landslide could also be a threat. Workers must be
trained to know the different hazards they are
exposed to and what to do to overcome such
hazards.
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WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES
Workers working in confined spaces would also be
at risk during bad weather as entry points may
become wet and slippery, or water may seep
through into the confined space causing increased
danger when working in such areas. If these
confined spaces contain electronic equipment,
powerlines, live wires, or even have water or
sewerage pipelines passing through, there would
be additional risks to workers' health and safety
during storms. Risk assessments must also be made
on the possibility of the confined space
atmospheres becoming toxic or oxygen levels
reducing.
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HOW TO PROTECT WORKERS?
An employer must identify the relevant workplace
hazards that can take place due to
weather-related emergencies by undertaking a
hazard assessment and then making sure to
implement relevant worker protections as and when
required as weather conditions deteriorate. Using
the Hierarchy of Controls, to determine the best
methods to protect workers, employers can
establish workplace emergency procedures to suit
each worksite's requirements. Employers are free
to choose a combination of elimination,
substitution, workplace practices, engineering
controls, administrative control, or personal
protective equipment to protect workers against
the hazards posed by high winds, storms, and
other wet weather conditions.
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AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
The most important aspect of protecting workers
during adverse weather is for employers to be
prepared with relevant preparedness, emergency,
and response plans. According to 29 CFR 1910.38
standard, OSHA requires all employers to have in
place a written emergency action plan that
includes emergencies caused by bad weather.
However, employers employing equal to or less
than 10 workers can verbally communicate the
emergency action plan. OSHA also offers
dedicated guidance to employers to be prepared
for adverse weather situations such as Hurricane
Preparedness and Response and Tornado
Preparedness and Response.
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TIPS FOR PROTECTING WORKERS DURING ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS

• Daily weather forecast monitoring.
• Being aware of approaching hurricanes and storms.
• Training workers to identify signs of approaching
  bad weather conditions such as thunder in the
  distance, dark clouds, increasing wind speeds,
  etc.
• Securing loose objects and other materials at the
  worksite.
• Ensuring workers wear proper protective clothing
  such as rain gear, anti-slip soled shoes, ribbed
  gloves, etc.
• Ensuring workers are equipped with proper
  personal fall protection systems.
• Securing worksites with adverse weather
  safeguards.
• Providing areas for safe shelter at open
  worksites.
• Temporary cessation of work at heights or on
  scaffolding.

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TIPS FOR PROTECTING WORKERS DURING ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS

• Rescheduling or rearranging work tasks so that
  workers are not exposed to the elements.
• Temporary stoppage of electrical work and the use
  of heavy machinery.
• Securing excavation areas and trenches.
• Gathering workers for a quick review of safety
  protocols and emergency procedures and exits.
• Wearing bright and reflective safety jackets or
  outer clothing to ensure being visible when
  carrying-out work tasks.
• Using equipment and tools that are designed to be
  used in wet weather conditions.
• Ensuring employees are trained to identify and
  safeguard against cold stress.

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FINALLY, THE NEED FOR TRAINING PROGRAMS
Bad weather and sudden changes in weather
conditions are becoming a regular occurrence
often attributed to climate change! As with most
situations, knowledge and information are key in
protecting workers' safety. Thus, employers
should ensure that employees are trained to
understand the prevalence of hazards, how to
avoid such hazards, workplace safety policies,
and safety procedures such as first aid that can
be enacted in emergencies. Training programs, as
reiterated by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, are and will remain a critical
aspect of protecting workers from hazards
irrespective of their occurrencedue to
accidental release of chemical substances, falls,
or emergencies resulting from unfavorable weather
conditions.
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LET'S WORK TOGETHER
THANK YOU!
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Angeles, CA 90025
hazwoper-osha.com
info_at_HAZWOPER-OSHA.com