According to the Center for Disease Control approximately 28 fatalities occur each year in the United States due to lightning strikes (data from 2006 through 2021). Workers account for about one-third of the total number of people struck by lightning; roofers, construction workers, road crews, pipe fitters and farm workers are especially at high risk.
Lightning typically strikes tall objects, including people standing on open ground or a roof. Work sites should have a plan in place to keep workers safe in case of a lightning storm.
It is important to have lighting safety policies in place to protect outdoor workers. Use these lightning safety tips when developing your policies:
Ordinary wood buildings provided for worker lunch breaks or shelter from rain or sun are not safe from lightning. Similarly, small post-supported structures, such as bus stops or picnic shelters, are not safe either and cannot be made safe for people.
Fully enclosed metal vehicles are safe shelters, as well as other all-metal, mobile equipment. This includes airplanes, buses, vans and construction equipment with enclosed metal cabs, provided the “outer metal shield” is fully intact. All windows must be rolled up and people inside should avoid touching all objects that penetrate from inside to outside (e.g., radio dials, metal door handles, two-way radio microphones, etc.).
Unsafe vehicles include those made of fiberglass and other plastics, plus small riding machinery or vehicles without enclosed canopies, such as motorcycles, farm tractors, golf carts and ATVs.
Metal shipping containers and old railroad box cars can be easily modified to become inexpensive, effective, portable and rapidly deployable shelters. Double walls are preferable over single walls. Openings should be cut out for ventilation and two separate doorways should be provided. Containers do not need to be grounded.
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