Lightning Safety Awareness

Key Hazards

• Lightning strikes during outdoor work
• Ground current from nearby lightning
• Exposure in open areas, elevated locations, or near tall objects
• Delayed response when storms appear distant
• Unsafe shelter choices such as trees, open structures, or equipment
• Premature return to work before storms have cleared

2–3 Minute Talk Script

Lightning is a serious hazard for outdoor crews because it can strike before heavy rain starts and after the worst part of a storm appears to have passed. Workers should not wait until lightning is directly overhead before taking action.

Thunder is a warning sign that lightning is close enough to be dangerous. If thunder can be heard, outdoor work should stop and workers should move toward proper shelter immediately.

Safe shelter usually means a substantial building or a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows up. Open-sided shelters, trees, equipment canopies, trailers without proper protection, and exposed structures do not provide the same level of protection.

Workers should avoid open fields, elevated areas, rooftops, utility structures, fences, metal tools, water, and isolated trees during lightning conditions. Lightning can travel through the ground, along metal objects, and through conductive surfaces.

Crews working around water, traffic control, excavation, utility work, landscaping, or construction sites may be spread out when storms develop. Communication is important so everyone knows when to stop work and where to go.

Supervisors and crews should monitor weather before and during outdoor operations. Fast-moving storms can create sudden changes, especially during summer afternoons or unstable weather patterns.

Work should not resume just because rain slows down. Lightning can continue after the storm appears to be moving away. Crews should follow their organization’s return-to-work procedure and allow enough time for the hazard to clear.

Lightning safety depends on early decisions. Waiting too long, trying to finish one more task, or choosing poor shelter can turn a routine weather delay into a life-threatening emergency.

Safety Reminders

• Stop outdoor work when thunder is heard.
• Move to a substantial building or enclosed vehicle.
• Avoid trees, open shelters, water, fences, and metal objects.
• Monitor weather before and during outdoor work.
• Communicate the stop-work decision clearly.
• Do not return to work too soon after a storm.
• Treat distant thunder as a serious warning sign.

Ask the Crew

• What shelter is available if lightning develops today?
• How will the crew be notified to stop work?
• Are any workers exposed in open areas, near water, or near tall objects?
• Are weather conditions being monitored during the job?
• When is it safe to return to work after lightning has passed?