Tornado Season Is Here

With tornadoes and heavy winds striking five states in the Southeast, facility managers and employers are responsible for preparing their buildings and workers for electrical hazards, fires, and other risks that come from these storms. As people clean up the damage left to their homes and workplaces, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds workers of the potential hazards they may encounter:

• Hazardous driving conditions due to slippery and/or blocked roadways
• Slips and falls due to slippery walkways
• Falling and flying objects such as tree limbs and utility poles
• Sharp objects including nails and broken glass
• Electrical hazards from downed power lines or downed objects in contact with power lines
• Falls from heights
• Burns from fires caused by energized line contact or equipment failure
• Exhaustion from working extended shifts
• Heat and dehydration.

Make sure you and your employees follow these general precautions if you experience a tornado this season:

• Continue to monitor your local radio or television stations for emergency information and the potential of additional storms. Be aware of possible structural, electrical, or gas-leak hazards.
• If such hazards are identified, report them to the proper local authorities and/or utility.
• Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed power lines.
• Wear proper clothing when walking on or near debris, including boots and gloves.
• Be careful around sharp objects, including nails and broken glass.
• Use the proper safety precautions when operating generators, chainsaws, or other power tools.
• Take steps to prevent heat illnesses and dehydration.

Check out Ready.gov for more tornado safety tips.