Page 1174 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive
P. 1174
Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 440
10 December 2014
Assessing Risk and Windspeed
As you will all be aware from weather forecasts and internal; communications, we are experiencing and
expect to experience more high winds.
When working at height, and especially when working with sign panels or roof sheeting panels, the effect
of the wind is magnified because the panel acts like a sail.
We issue anemometers, with clear guidance on not working from a mobile scaffold tower at wind speeds
above 17mph and from a MEWP at above 24mph, actively monitor the weather forecast and wind-speeds
and plan accordingly. However, sometimes, the forecast is for wind-speeds of say 15mph, but potential
gusts of up to 30mph, which makes a remote risk assessment difficult because the frequency of gusts is
not indicated and it could be perfectly safe to work all day.
This is where your Last Minute Risk Assessment come in. ‘Exposure’ to gusts of wind is a potentially
high risk for us and should be considered when completing your Clearance Certificate. Recommended
control measures include ensuring that the panel is lifted with the smallest surface area facing the wind,
so the largest face is out of the line of fire and unlikely to act as a sail if an unexpected gust does occur.
Please refer to your LMRA checklist when completing your clearance certificate, give due consideration
to the weather forecast/expected wind-speeds and ensure that your LMRA thought process is ongoing
throughout the duration of your work.
We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works
for us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!
