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Posted By The toecap
What precautions do people have when working on scaffolding when there is a threat from a thunder storm? I'm just curious with the recent storms.
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Posted By AlB
Hmmmm.
Interesting question. Never really gave it much thought before but I suppose it should be properly earthed - most scaffold have timber or plastic sole boards.
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread!
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Posted By Tabs
Given the almost inevitable casual contact with the steelwork and other structures, I would not be working on scaffold when there is a risk of lightning.
It may be that the Faraday principle works - but if you are touching a part of the building at the time, you may wake up a couple of floors from where you started.
Remember that it would also need re-inspection and certification after any strike, or any severe weather conditions.
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Posted By garyh
Surely this depends on the location of the scaffold; some are indoors or under cover (eg in a large shed or warehouse etc). Others may be out in the open and well exposed.
A reputable scaffold company should have a policy / procedure for adverse weather - eg what to do in high winds etc. Lightning is just one consideration.
Incidentally I used to work for a major blue chip chemical company. They used to issue all plants with lightning warnings - but there was no procedure on what we were supposed to do about it!
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Posted By Garry Adams
Hi Toecap,
My policy is hit the cobbles, seek-out the nearest tea shak and get the kettle on.
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Posted By Chas
It's worth bearing in mind that it's not just the potential for the scaffold to be hit directly that you should be concerned about. I have often come across scaffolds where the transoms and ledgers are butted up against the parts of the lightning conductor leading to earth (ie the metal strip running down the wall of the building). So all the lightning needs to do is hit the conductor/rod on the roof/chimney and in theory the scaffold takes a hit too, eventhough it may be remote from the actual point of immediate lightning contact or in an area where a direct hit is unlikely (eg a light well).
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Posted By The toecap
Some very interesting points to consider. I certainly would be in a shak with the kettle on though.
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Posted By Antony McManus
Tricky one....have to think.....got it.....
get off the scaffolding.....
..Remember what you were told as a child about lightning....
I worked once on a jack-up, in dry dock (during a thunder storm)the legs were 185m high. We were informed that it was safe to be there. Yet, lightning striking the tallest thing around theory was the best option. We got off the scaffold and sure enough....lightning hit the legs.
Tony Mc (Ex-Scaff)
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