We Are No Match For Mother Nature – 05/10/2021

Safety E-QuickTips

U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.

Monday May 10, 2021

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We Are No Match for Mother Nature

Thunderstorms, tornados, and hurricanes . . . What do they all have in common?

They are all forces of nature that man cannot control.

In fact, with all our technology we cannot even predict exactly where these forces of nature will go or exactly how much destruction they will cause.

And to make things even worse they are saying that climate change will likely make extreme weather more common.

But on the positive side, those involved in predicting the weather are getting a little better each year and today we have more warning systems in place than ever.

If you find you are working in an area during any of these extreme weather conditions, here are some things you can do to protect yourself and others at work.

You should always use common sense during inclement weather and at a minimum:

• Stay indoors in a protected area
• Stay off ladders, scaffolds, and other equipment
• Stay away from electrical wires and trees
• Be aware of any weather warnings or alerts (and follow their advice)
• And never go out in inclement weather just to experience it — that may be the worst decision of your life.

If your area is under a tornado warning, you need to make sure you listen to updated weather reports. A warning means that a tornado has been seen or picked up on radar in your area and it has the potential to move into your area.

For your information, tornadoes contain the most violent winds on earth and can exceed 200 MPH. Winds of this speed can drive a piece of straw into a tree, lift houses off their foundations, pick up automobiles, uproot trees, and tip over trucks. So, if you are in one it wouldn’t have any trouble lifting you up and tossing you around like a piece of paper.

For more information on what to do if you are at home, on the road, in a long span building, or in a commercial building and are advised to seek shelter, check out the FEMA Tornado Playbook. It has a lot of good information.

If you are working in an area where a flash flood warning has been issued, always be aware of flood hazards. Floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. Flood waters can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and often carry a deadly cargo of debris.

Regardless of how a flood or flash flood occurs, the rule for being safe is simple: head for higher ground and stay away from flood waters. Even a shallow depth of fast-moving flood water produces more force than most people imagine. One of the most dangerous things you can do is to try walking, swimming, or driving through flood waters. It only takes two feet of water to carry away most automobiles.

Employee QuickTip

Remember, inclement weather can be dangerous and even deadly. Always take weather warnings seriously and follow their directions — your life might depend on it!

Employer/Management QuickTip

Make sure you have a plan in place this year to protect your employees during extreme weather.Check out OSHA’s information on preparing a plan here.

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Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.