Windy Days - On the job tool box talks

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As a supervisor, you know that sudden gusts of wind can cause unexpected accidents. Tell your crew that if high winds are expected, they should be on the lookout for building material or debris that can be picked up by the wind and blown off the structure.

Tag lines should be used when hoisting loads with large flat surfaces. When picking up large sections of plywood, dry wall or similar material, they should be aware that this material can act as a sail.

A 20 to 30 mile per hour wind can pick up a piece of scrap material and carry it as far out as the height from which it came. For instance, a piece from a 20 foot scaffold can hit a person standing 20 feet away while the same piece coming off a high rise building may travel almost a full city block.

Scraps of plywood and sheet metal cause the most trouble, but a strong wind can pick up a loose 2 by 10 deck plank and drop it off a scaffold.

Material/personnel hoists should not be operated in winds exceeding 35 miles per hour unless manufacturer’s specifications say it’s ok. Your crew should also check the manufacturer’s instructions before operating cranes in high wind situations.

The wind can also whip up clouds of dust and reduce visibility. Drivers and operators of heavy equipment should slow down accordingly. Provisions should be made for dust control.

Finally, high winds can pick up sparks from open fires and cause whipping tarpaulins to overturn heaters. The resulting fires have caused many severe burn injuries and damage to buildings under construction.

Try this for show and tell!
Ask everyone to come to the meeting prepared to discuss one item that could be blown around the job by high winds or one hazard that high winds could create.
Questions you can use to get them talking:
•   Who is responsible for securing the job site from blow off conditions during high wind situations?
•   What are the particular hazards that high winds can cause on this job?
•   What can we do as individuals to control these hazards and protect ourselves and other people?
•   Has anyone ever had an accident – or know of one – involving high winds?

This information provided by: Assurance Agenc