| Definition |
Windspeeds exceeding 40 km/h / 25 mph, may present a hazardous condition to sites performing telehandler/crane lifts, work from an elevated work platform (AWP), roof work, standing walls, or other outdoor tasks. Discretion should be taken by supervisors and crews to determine if work can safely continue. Supervisors and contractors must work together to prepare for potential high winds to mitigate the risk of injury to themselves and others, as well as damages to property or equipment. Follow manufacturer instructions to not exceed allowed windspeeds for any mobile boom work, including telehandlers, AWPs, and cranes. |
| Hazards
This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.
|
Biological:
Physical:
- Falling objects
- Reduced visibility
- Weather Conditions
- Fall from Heights
- Wall collapse
- Slip/Trip
- Cribbing Failure
- Mobile Equipment Tip-Over
- Heat Stress/Cold Exposure
|
| Controls |
Elimination:
Engineering:
- Straps or other means to secure material
Administrative:
- Site orientations including emergency procedures
- Hazard Assessments
- Site Work Alone plan or OK Alone app, if applicable
- Reliable weather-monitoring tools (Environment Canada, AccuWeather, etc.)
- Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Hard Hat
- Safety Glasses
- Respiratory Protection
- Gloves
- High Visibility Clothing
- CSA/ANSI approved safety footwear
- Cold weather layers (toque, neck gaiters, winter jackets)
- Skin protection
|
| Work Site Supervisory Responsibility |
Do
- Ensure a hazard assessment is completed prior to starting work.
- Communicate the Emergency Response Plan.
- Ensure structures and materials are secure.
- Suspend mobile equipment use (arial lifts, cranes, etc.) if wind speeds exceed 40 km/h or 25 mph.
- Deliver site safety orientations to all contracted crews, including site emergency response procedures. Discuss with the group if this statement should be added to all SWPs.
- Post supervisor contact information at the work site and maintain communication with work crews.
- Monitor forecasted weather and advisory reports throughout the day; alert crews on site when wind warnings are issued.
- Communicate the requirement to stop work for activities where windspeeds present a hazard. Ie. Sheathing operations, etc.
- Complete a stop work form. If a worker (employee or contractor) continues against supervisor direction for work site shutdown, the supervisor will note in the SiteDocs form, for follow up to be completed by the business unit.
- If safe to do so, complete a site inspection to ensure equipment and material is properly stored or secured when high winds are expected.
- Take shelter in a safe location if severe weather approaches.
- Complete a property damage notification to document when damages have occurred.
Do not
- Allow work to proceed if the wind speeds exceed 40 km/h or 25 mph.
- Access site when there is existing imminently hazardous conditions.
|
| Worker Responsibility |
Do
- Perform a hazard assessment specific to the site and task. Review and update the hazard assessment when tasks or hazards change.
- Follow the Emergency Response Plan if needed.
- Have a Site Work Alone Plan when working alone at site, which includes a pre-established contact person/monitor, contact method, and expected contact intervals.
- Monitor forecasted weather and advisory reports throughout the day.
- Perform routine housekeeping to prevent a build up of material or debris on site. Clear or secure site material before leaving at the end of the day.
- Follow manufacturers instructions when operating any boomed mobile equipment, including cranes, elevated work platforms (AWP), and telehandlers. Cease any boomed operations when windspeeds exceed manufacturers instructions.
- Cooperate with supervisor stop work directions when windspeeds present hazardous work conditions.
- Secure all equipment and materials appropriately to prevent damages.
- All loose equipment, materials, and debris should be removed from roofs, balconies, scaffolds or otherwise secured.
- Framing and cribbing should be braced and secured.
- Any excavation work should cease, move large mobile equipment to a safe area if possible.
- Take shelter in a safe location if severe weather approaches.
- Communicate to the site supervisor if damages occur from high winds.
Do not
- Continue work if the wind speeds exceed 40 km/h or 25 mph.
- Perform high risk activities alone, such as working in fall protection.
- Carry large objects in high winds, such as sheeting. These objects can catch the wind and act as a sail.
- Leave loose equipment or material unsupervised on site.
- Access site when there is existing imminently hazardous conditions.
- Override the supervisors request to stop work.
|
