On behalf of the Bhate Safety Department, below is the Weekly Safety Message:
While storms can of course occur any time of year, severe thunderstorms are more likely to happen starting in the spring. This is because, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, storms need moisture and warmth to thrive.
One major danger that comes along with storms of nearly any intensity is lightning. These sudden strikes can appear anywhere within a storm, striking from cloud to cloud or, more dangerously, from cloud to ground. A typical bolt contains around 300 million volts of electricity, but can contain up to one billion volts.
Lightning can quickly start a fire in fields, trees or even buildings, and can be deadly to people. If there is lightning in your work area, all outdoor employees need to seek shelter indoors as quickly as possible.
A danger you may not consider but one that can be incredibly damaging is high winds. In fact, across the lower 48 states, winds account for half of all severe damage reports. Staying indoors, ideally not in a mobile structure, and away from windows is the best way to stay safe. High winds can come with any storm, so no matter where you work, this danger could quickly become a problem.
One of the most dangerous outcomes of severe weather is tornadoes. While some areas of the United States see much higher occurrences of tornadoes, they can, and have, formed in every state.
As tornadoes often develop quickly, it is crucial that all employees know what to do and where to go well before a situation arises. For example:
Storms bring with them many different dangers so you should be sure every worker knows what to do in any situation. It is a good idea to carry out regular drills so that, in a real emergency, there is less panic and hesitation.
