SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

Employee Safety TrainingEmployee Safety Training

FREQUENCIESFREQUENCIES• The U.S. experiences an average of

1000 Tornadoes each year.– Most are confined to “Tornado Alley”Most are confined to “Tornado Alley”

F-0:F-0: 40-72 mph, chimney damage, tree branches broken

F-1:F-1: 73-112 mph, mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned

F-2:F-2: 113-157 mph, considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees uprooted

F-3:F-3: 158-205 mph, roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown

F-4:F-4: 207-260 mph, well-constructed walls leveled

F-5:F-5: 261-318 mph, homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable distances, autos thrown as far as

100 meters

Tornado Tornado StrengthStrength

TORNADO TORNADO MYTHSMYTHS• Opening windows to equalize pressure• “Tornadoes never strike city areas”

• The Southwest corner of a building or basement is the safest.

St. Louis is just one of many cities to be hit.

It’s just that cities make up only a very small % of land mass

TORNADO WATCHES / TORNADO WATCHES / WARNINGSWARNINGS

• Tornado WATCHSimply means that conditions are right for

severe weather however, there is no current severe weather present.

• Tornado WARNINGA Tornado has been spotted or is indicated on

radar. IMMEDIATE ACTION is needed to protect yourself. DO NOT LOOK OUT THE WINDOW to see it.

TORNADO WATCHES / TORNADO WATCHES / WARNINGSWARNINGS

• Warning times:Although designed to give the greatest

amount of time before severe weather strikes, there is no set time and/or guarantee that you have a set amount of time.

TornadoesTornadoes

HazardsHazards

PreparationPreparation

PrioritiesPriorities

HAZARDSHAZARDS

• The obvious– High windsHigh winds

– Up to and including total buildingUp to and including total buildingdestructiondestruction

– LightningLightning

– Flying objectsFlying objects

– Hail and heavy rainsHail and heavy rains

HAZARDSHAZARDS

• The Not-So Obvious– Downed, energized electrical lines in Downed, energized electrical lines in

and out of buildingsand out of buildings• Assume all lines are energized• Electric lines can energize other objects such as

fences, steel beams etc.

– Leaking gas or chemical linesLeaking gas or chemical lines– Sharp objectsSharp objects– Long span buildings are very prone to Long span buildings are very prone to

collapse.collapse.

• The Not-So Obvious– Downed, energized electrical lines in Downed, energized electrical lines in

and out of buildingsand out of buildings• Assume all lines are energized• Electric lines can energize other objects such as

fences, steel beams etc.

– Leaking gas or chemical linesLeaking gas or chemical lines– Sharp objectsSharp objects– Long span buildings are very prone to Long span buildings are very prone to

collapse.collapse.

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

• Develop written Emergency Plan in advance– Shelter locationsShelter locations

– Emergency alertingEmergency alerting

– AccountabilityAccountability

– Weather watchingWeather watching• Weather radios etc.

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

• Develop a Business Recovery Plan– Needed SectionsNeeded Sections

• Incident Management Response

• Shutdown Inspections

• Recovery Restoration

• Critical data / programs backup

• Supplier shortage effects / stopping supplies

• Post incident contacts:– Insurance, customers, suppliers, employees

• Develop a Business Recovery Plan– Needed SectionsNeeded Sections

• Incident Management Response

• Shutdown Inspections

• Recovery Restoration

• Critical data / programs backup

• Supplier shortage effects / stopping supplies

• Post incident contacts:– Insurance, customers, suppliers, employees

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

• Emergency supplies / equipment– Portable lightingPortable lighting

– Roll plastic / tarpsRoll plastic / tarps

– Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

– Medical suppliesMedical supplies

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

• Shelter selection / preparation– Must be well markedMust be well marked

– Structurally soundStructurally sound– Free of windowsFree of windows– Easy AccessEasy Access

In high rise buildings, go to an interior small room or hallway with not exterior walls and or glassy areas.

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

• Employee Training– Where to go Where to go

– How will they be alertedHow will they be alerted

– What to do after the eventWhat to do after the event

– Post event hazards to be aware ofPost event hazards to be aware of

PRIORITIESPRIORITIES

• Personnel accountability– Must account for all employees, contractors Must account for all employees, contractors

and visitorsand visitors• If lacking a plan of action, assigned shelters etc. this

will become virtually impossible

– Assisting injured personsAssisting injured persons• Remember that EMS services could easily be

overwhelmed making your problem less of a priority to them

• Personnel accountability– Must account for all employees, contractors Must account for all employees, contractors

and visitorsand visitors• If lacking a plan of action, assigned shelters etc. this

will become virtually impossible

– Assisting injured personsAssisting injured persons• Remember that EMS services could easily be

overwhelmed making your problem less of a priority to them

PRIORITIESPRIORITIES

• Facility safety / hazard inspection– Inspect for and isolate hazards to allow

recovery work to begin

• Facility security– Guard against unauthorized entry /

material removal

• Student/Staff Notification

• Facility safety / hazard inspection– Inspect for and isolate hazards to allow

recovery work to begin

• Facility security– Guard against unauthorized entry /

material removal

• Student/Staff Notification

LIGHTNING HAZARDSLIGHTNING HAZARDS

LIGHTNINGLIGHTNING

Lightning causes approximately 100 deaths per year in the United States.

Most could have been avoided had persons followed some simple safety rules.

Remember that lighting can travel many miles from it’s point of origin.

It does not have to be raining and/or completely cloudy to be struck.

Lightning causes approximately 100 deaths per year in the United States.

Most could have been avoided had persons followed some simple safety rules.

Remember that lighting can travel many miles from it’s point of origin.

It does not have to be raining and/or completely cloudy to be struck.

LIGHTNINGLIGHTNING

Remember, If you can hear the thunderbolt, you are close enough to be struck by the lighting

Find shelter in a car or building

Avoid using the telephone or electrical appliances

Stay away from windows if possible or pull down shades or blinds

Stay away from trees or tall objects, “Make yourself Small”

Remember, If you can hear the thunderbolt, you are close enough to be struck by the lighting

Find shelter in a car or building

Avoid using the telephone or electrical appliances

Stay away from windows if possible or pull down shades or blinds

Stay away from trees or tall objects, “Make yourself Small”

LIGHTNINGLIGHTNING

If someone is struck by lightningThey do not become “Electrified” and you can touch them

Immediately call 911 for help

Begin CPR if necessary

Remember that they may also be badly burned and/or have bone fractures

About 1/2 of persons struck will be killed

If someone is struck by lightningThey do not become “Electrified” and you can touch them

Immediately call 911 for help

Begin CPR if necessary

Remember that they may also be badly burned and/or have bone fractures

About 1/2 of persons struck will be killed