Posted By Dave Merchant
It's not as easy as giving you a number - it depends on the nature and altitude of the location, the work, what's below the location and what the ambient temperature is.

The generally-accepted maximum windspeed for unprotected work is around 18m/s (BS5975), but that's only accounting for the physical ability of the operative to retain balance, and not on any wind-chill or risk to persons from falling objects. You have to risk-assess per-site per-day and per-task.

Posted By Ron Hunter
The National Roofing Contractors Federation publish "Cladding and Roofing in Windy Conditions" which I recommend to my people. Wind Speeds -v- activities etc. are quoted.
Only a few quid.

Posted By Larry
What do the manufacturers say?

Posted By Larry
Manufacturers are required to provide guidance with respect to operating criteria. No matter what the item used for working at height is. So asking them has to be a viable option.

Posted By bill strachan1
Thanks Larry,

Unfortunately I work in a location where manufacturers of steel and scaffold companys could not really care a jot about wind speeds. The reality is that there is no criteria or guidance in place for this part of the world and I was looking for some sensible thoughts and help from the forum which I have already received.

Thanks again for your valid response

Posted By bill strachan1
Thanks Geoff,

Yes you are spot on.

It is a rather interesting challenge we have here. We are in the middle of constructing a very large GTL plant and we have around 48,000 Nepalese, Indian and Philippino workers who are climbing all over racks and vessels. We are experiencing some unseasonal high winds at the moment and the grown ups cannot seem to make a decision on what is deemed a safe or unsafe wind speed to work in.

I take on board the previous response from Dave regarding specific R/A's for each job, but unfortunately we do not have the level of competent supervision to achieve this - hence the consideration of setting a maximum wind speed where no work is allowed to be performed on incomplete structures.

I would be grateful to anyone who could let me know if they have adopted a similar approach.

Posted By robin stowell
I conduct safety inspections/audits on wind turbines at 80-100m high. Generally the maximum wind speed for climbing (inside) or working on top is set by the manufacturers and operators at 15 m/s.

Robin