Summer is officially over, we just did Halloween and now we are well into Autumn territory – which means it’s cold, rainy and windy out there! Of course, in high speeds and heavy rain, accidents become far more common – it’s easier to lose balance when fast winds are hitting you, and heavy rain makes surfaces slippery, and these two things can be a deadly combination, particularly when you’re working at height.
Why Working At Height In Severe Weather Conditions Is So Dangerous
Despite the fact that accidents are very common in that type of weather already, a slip and fall can be much more severe when it’s from a significant height. This is why we advise you to proceed with caution if you are about to carry out an outdoors job in harsh weather conditions. The higher away from the ground you are, the stronger impact wind can have on both your balance and the stability of your equipment. If you fall from a height, the impact will be much harder than if you had fallen from ground-level.
How To Navigate Work At Height In Dangerous Weather Conditions?
The short answer is: don’t. Try your best to reschedule – it is simply not worth the risk. Even if you need to push the task back by a couple of hours, do so. That can often be long enough to change the conditions under which you’ll be working.
Weigh the risks you are facing against the time constraints you are under. Ask yourself:
- Is this a safe procedure?
- Does wind allow the work to be done?
- Are wind speeds safe?
- Are surfaces dry enough?
- Can you see clearly under rain, snow or hail?
- Will you be working with a team member?
If the answer is ‘no’ to any of these, then we would advise you to reschedule, no matter what.
If You Can’t Reschedule
First of all, assess the situation and make sure you are following every regulation.
Make sure equipment is securely in place – do not rush setup – and have a colleague with you at all times, someone who can sound the alarm in the event of an accident. Be sure that the light you’ll be working under is sufficient and take your time during the job.
Contact Us
As the colder, harsher weather draws in, being vigilant in your work at height practices is more important than ever. The best thing you can do for your team is invest in high-quality safety equipment for the job at hand. Click here to browse our products, or if you are interested in a more bespoke design, fill out our enquiry form with the details and we will be in touch shortly.
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