Hurricane Preparedness Checklist For Your Construction Site
Will your job site be prepared for severe weather?
Constructions are vulnerable to hurricane damage. Material and debris can be projectiles. Water can easily flood buildings and cause damage.
Preparedness is key. Do not wait until the last moment to prepare for a hurricane. Your team and work will be safe when the storm hits.
How to prepare a Construction Severe weather Management Plan
To create a severe weather plan on your construction site, follow the National Weather Service recommendations.
1. Get Ready Before the Severe Weather Hits
You need the right equipment to protect and cover structures that aren’t complete before a storm hits. Each member of your team should know where the gear is stored.
Hurricane Preparation Materials & Equipment:
- Concrete Anchors
- Duct Tape
- Garbage bags
- Generators
- Ground Anchors
- Fuel
- Misc. Hardware and Fasteners
- Netting
- Plastic Sheeting
- Plywood
- Pumps
- Rope
- Sand bags
- Shoring and Bracing
- Water
- Wire
Keep hard copies of important documents such as plans, contact lists, and other important documents safe. These documents should contain:
- An emergency evacuation plan.
- Employees can contact us in an emergency.
- Here is a list of Hurricane Prepare Materials, Equipment and Their Sources.
- Contractors and vendors who are able to provide recovery services or replacement supplies.
- These are the procedures to be followed in the case of hazardous material leaks, exposed electrical wires, or structural damage.
- Contact list of people to call in case recovery teams are unable return to work.
2. Keep an eye on the weather
Once a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued, designate a member of your team to monitor the weather.
- For the most recent severe weather alerts, visit The Weather Channel.
- To receive weather information in times of power outages, invest in a weather radio powered either by solar or batteries.
3. Secure Structures and Equipment
When the National Weather Service issues Hurricane Watches, it is time to prepare your jobsite for the storm.
- To weigh down materials that are likely to fly, use rope, sandbags, ground anchors, and other items.
- To prevent water damage, cover materials with plastic sheeting, netting or garbage bags.
- To prevent them from escaping, stack loose materials together. Secure them with rope or tape.
- If time permits, complete work on partial structures to minimize damage.
4. If possible, remove materials and equipment
You should remove any damaged or loose items as soon as a Hurricane Warning is issued.
- Get your Dumpster Rentals Miami collected or cover it with a tarp.
- Portable bathrooms can be removed or tied down.
- To prevent hazardous chemicals from entering the environment, it is important to get rid of them.
- Take away any materials, tools, or equipment that could be damaged by rising waters.
- Transfer heavy equipment and machinery into a garage or another covered structure.
- Light-weight fencing screens and signs for job sites can be taken down and stored.
- You should move any electronic devices, job site plans, or other important documents that you have from the construction trailer to another safe place.
- Turn off the power supply to the site. Make sure that fuel is available to power generators.
National Weather Service During hurricane season, twelve tropical storms (of which 6 become hurricanes) form over the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
5. Protect the Building Structure
Once you have removed or secured materials, it is time to protect the structure. Water can cause significant damage to the interior, whether you are renovating or building a new one.
- You can board up window and door openings.
- Tape or board any other large openings.
- As reinforcement, place sandbags around perimeter of structure.
6. Evacuate the Work Site
You should have an evacuation plan for any construction site. You should familiarize yourself with hurricane warning terms to determine when you must leave.
- Tropical Storm/Hurricane watches indicate that a hurricane is possible in the area.
- Warnings indicate that a tropical storm or hurricane is likely to hit the area within 24 hours.
Keep an eye on weather alerts via TV, radio and social media. If the authorities issue a warning, evacuate immediately. Know your community’s emergency plans before storm season and where shelters are located nearby so that your employees can have a safe place to go in case they cannot make it home.
Returning to your Construction Site after the Storm
7. Take care to assess the damage
Once you receive the safety announcement, it is time to assess the damage and begin cleaning up.
- Walking in standing water can be dangerous as it may contain jagged or sharp objects.
- Be careful when you enter a building, as structural elements could be weak.
- You can rent a dumpster to dispose of storm-damaged materials.
8. Plan to Get Rid of Water
Your worksite will be flooded by water during a hurricane. It is vital to remove standing water from your property and other structures. Standing water can cause soil to soften and compromise structural stability.
- Before the storm strikes, place pumps in basements or excavations.
- Make sure to have fans and dehumidifiers available in order to dry the space.
- Drain water into the storm water system
- Keep contact information handy in case you need a tanker truck to transport excess water.
Share your Construction Hurricane Plan With the Team
The most important thing is to inform your team about hurricane precautions.
- Your team can discuss your hurricane action plan to ensure they know exactly what to do if a storm strikes. Discuss the plan with your crew and get their approval.
- In the event of a hurricane, identify who will be in charge. This person will initiate the plan and assign emergency responsibility positions.
- Two teams should be designated – one for hurricane recovery and one for hurricane response. This will depend on how large your crew is and where you work.
For a safe construction site, it is important to be prepared for hurricanes. This list will help you and your team stay safe from severe weather.
