SAFETY TOPICS

Lightning Safety on the Job

When thunder roars, go indoors!

If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, get to a safe place immediately because the thunder you hear is caused by lightning in the area. According to The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), being anywhere outdoors during thunderstorms is not safe. Lightning can be a severe hazard to workers whose jobs involve working outdoors.¹

Employers often overlook the occupational hazards posed by lightning, but it must be addressed to ensure worker safety. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “Lightning is a dangerous natural force. Annually in the United States, cloud-to-ground lightning occurs 20 to 25 million times and over 300 people are struck by lightning… Over the past 30 years, 50 people, on average, have been killed by lightning strikes every year, and many more suffer permanent disabilities.”¹

Some workers are at greater risk than others

People who work outdoors in open spaces, on or near tall objects, with explosives or with conductive materials tend to have a greater exposure to lightning risks. Here are the most affected occupations:

Logging
Explosive handling or storage
Heavy equipment operation
Plumbing and pipe fitting
Construction and building maintenance
Farming and field labor
Telecommunications field repair
Power utility field repair²

When thunderstorms threaten

Pay attention to the daily forecasts so you know what types of weather to prepare for during the day. And look out for the early signs of thunderstorms, including high winds, dark clouds, rain, distant thunder, or lightning. If these conditions exist, do not start any new tasks that can’t be finished quickly.²

If caught outside in a thunderstorm

If you are caught outside, follow NOAA’s recommendations to decrease the risk of being struck.

Lightning is likely to strike the tallest objects in a given area—you should not be the tallest object.
- Avoid isolated tall trees, hilltops, utility poles, cell phone towers, cranes, large equipment, ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops.
- Avoid open areas, such as fields.
- Never lie flat on the ground.
- Retreat to dense areas of smaller trees that are surrounded by larger trees, or retreat to low-lying areas (e.g., valleys or ditches).
- Watch for flooding.
- Avoid water, and immediately get out of and away from any bodies of water, such as pools or lakes.¹

During storms or high winds, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) prohibits:

Working on, or from scaffolds. (29 CFR 1926.451(f)(12))
Crane hoists (29 CFR 1926.1431(k)(8))
Working on top of walls.1 (29 CFR 1926.854(c))¹

If a coworker is struck by lightning

Victims of a lightning strike do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to touch, and will need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate risk from being struck by lightning. Some deaths can be prevented if the victim receives proper first aid immediately. Be sure to call 911 and perform CPR if the person is unresponsive or not breathing. Also, use an automatic external defibrillator [(AED)] if one is available.²

Emergency action plan

Employers should always have a written emergency action plan (EAP). The plan should include a written lightning safety protocol for outdoor workers. Employers should also post information about lightning safety specifically at outdoor worksites. Employers should adequately train all workers on the plan, including lightning safety. Training should be provided for each outdoor worksite, so that supervisors and workers know in advance where a worksite’s safe shelters are, as well as the time it takes to reach them. Employers should train supervisors and workers alike to provide lightning safety warnings in sufficient time for everyone to reach a worksite’s safe shelters and take other appropriate precautions.¹

More resources

Summit also has helpful resources available! Some resources include safety videos and safety posters. (Videos provided through JER HR Group LLC, dba Training Network, a Summit vendor). If you would like additional resources, please contact your Summit loss prevention consultant.

Footnotes

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors, U.S. Dept. of Labor, OSHA – DTSEM FS-3863 05/2016, www.weather.gov/media/owlie/OSHA_FS-3863_Lightning_Safety_05-2016.pdf (Accessed June 19, 2023).
“Lightning Safety on the Job.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Dept. of Commerce, www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-job (Accessed June 19, 2023).

Disclaimer

The information presented in this publication is intended to provide guidance and is not intended as a legal interpretation of any federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations applicable to your business. The loss prevention information provided is intended only to assist policyholders of Summit managed insurers in the management of potential loss producing conditions involving their premises and/or operations based on generally accepted safe practices. In providing such information, Summit Consulting LLC does not warrant that all potential hazards or conditions have been evaluated or can be controlled. It is not intended as an offer to write insurance for such conditions or exposures. The liability of Summit Consulting LLC and its managed insurers is limited to the terms, limits and conditions of the insurance policies underwritten by any of them.