WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS!!
Pinnacol: August Newsletter
 

Editor’s Note: Association Newsletter Article–August 2008
Contact: Judy Stowell (303-361-4779, judy.stowell@pinnacol.com)

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

It’s that time of the year again—time when severe weather presents challenges for outdoor workers in industries ranging from construction to farming. Summer is the peak season for thunderstorms, which can bring hail, wind, and lightning, although lightning can strike at any time of the year.
Lightning is particularly deadly in Colorado, which ranks 10th among states with the most lightning deaths and injuries, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
NOAA says certain workers are at greater risk from lightning than others. Workers in the following occupations are among those with the most risk:

• Logging
• Explosives handling or storage
• Heavy equipment operation
• Plumbing and pipefitting
• Construction and building maintenance
• Farming and field labor
• Telecommunications field repair
• Power utility field repair

Tips for Lightning Safety on the Job
Here are some tips to protect outdoor workers from the danger of lightning:

• When thunderstorms threaten, don’t start anything you can’t stop quickly. Pay attention to the daily forecasts so you know what to expect during the day. Also pay attention to early signs of thunderstorms, which include high winds, dark clouds, rain, distant thunder or lightning. If these conditions are evident, do not start any new task that you can’t quickly stop.

• Assess your lightning risk and take precautionary action. During thunderstorms, no place outside is safe. But you can minimize your risk by assessing the lightning threat and taking the appropriate actions. Count the number of seconds from when you see the lightning flash until you hear the thunder. If you count 30 seconds or less, you are in immediate danger. Stop what you’re doing and seek safety in a substantial building. If a substantial building is not available, a metal-topped vehicle with the windows up is your next best choice.

Objects and Equipment to Avoid During Thunderstorms

• Stay off and away from anything tall or high, including rooftops, scaffolding, utility poles, ladders, trees, and large equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, track loaders, and tractors.
• Do not touch materials or surfaces that can conduct electricity, including metal scaffolding, metal equipment, utility lines, water, water pipes, and plumbing.
• Leave areas with explosives or munitions.

If a Co-worker Is Struck by Lightning

Call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Management Services phone number. If the victim’s heart or breathing has stopped, immediately administer CPR.
For more information on avoiding lightning hazards on the job, contact your Pinnacol Assurance marketing representative.