Don’t Get Blown Away By The Weather – 7/5/22
Safety E-QuickTips
U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.
Monday Jul 5, 2022
Don’t Get Blown Away By The Weather
One would have to have been living in a cave for the past year to not know the possible devastation of inclement weather. Year after year, hurricanes, tornadoes, and unending rain have struck parts of the United States causing death, destruction, and misery.
Just this spring alone some have witnessed unbelievable destruction and loss of lives during violent storms that have created tornadoes and produced several inches of rain per hour leading to flash floods.
Fortunately for most areas of the country, except for brief periods of high winds or an occasional thunderstorm, our weather is rather benign. However, if you are at work, what would you do to protect yourself in the event of a tornado, a driving rain storm or an electrical storm?
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 CDC’s website page Emergency Preparedness and Response – During a Tornado. 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
Don’t wait until it’s too late to help ensure your employees know what to do during inclement weather. Take a little time this week to make sure your employees know what to do.
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Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.
