Summer is the peak time for thunderstorms, and lightning poses an often-overlooked hazard that can seriously injure or kill workers. In recent decades in the United States, more than 300 people were struck by lightning on average each year. Of those, about 50 were killed, with many others suffering permanent disabilities, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Employees who face a greater risk for lightning strikes are those stationed outdoors, recreation staff, utility and public service workers, or landscaping workers. OSHA has reported that many lightning strike victims are the workers who became caught in a storm because they did not seek shelter quickly enough in the face of a thunderstorm — inside a building ideally, or inside an enclosed vehicle if necessary — or those who returned outside too quickly after a storm appeared to pass.
Here are some considerations for lightning hazards to employees and property.
Weather monitoring
Employers and staff need to be vigilant of weather conditions, be willing to reschedule jobs and events around thunderstorms, and be familiar with the outlooks predicted by the National Weather Service. Supervisors should train their workers on severe weather plans, and keep emergency supplies, including a battery-operated weather radio, available.
Cities and towns should have an inclement weather policy specifying who decides whether to cancel or postpone work projects, special events or other activities. Policies should indicate when the decision will be made, based on which source — such as the local NWS office — and how the decision will be communicated to employees, volunteers, vendors, participants or attendees.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center uses this terminology to communicate the outlook of severe weather:
Category 1, marginal risk, indicates isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. This outlook is common and occurs throughout the year.
Category 2, slight risk, indicates that a threat exists for short-lived, isolated severe storms. This outlook is common during summer months.
Category 3, enhanced risk, indicates that persistent and widespread storms are likely.
Category 4, moderate risk, indicates that widespread severe thunderstorms are likely. Numerous tornadoes and thunderstorms are likely. This outlook is only issued a few times per year.
Category 5, high risk, indicates that widespread severe thunderstorms are expected. The outlook indicates the potential for severe and life-threatening weather, including strong or long-lasting tornadoes. This type of alert is significantly uncommon.
Property risks
Since 2019, the SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund, the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s property and casualty insurance program, has received more than 116 lightning property claims with a total cost of $1.2 million.
Property damage from lightning can be particularly disruptive if it shuts down infrastructure items like water or wastewater controls. Vulnerabilities to property and infrastructure systems extend beyond just direct lightning strikes. Lightning bolts produce a larger field of static electricity that can damage or destroy electronic devices and systems — things like computer systems, security systems, or the communications and telemetry equipment on water towers.
Risk management assessments for city-owned properties should determine what backups are available for any piece of equipment in case of a lightning strike. They can also reduce the risk of lightning by making sure that all property is properly grounded, and that no grounding has been disconnected as a result of maintenance work.
Lightning strikes can cause fire or water damage to buildings, and some disaster recovery companies specialize in these kinds of damages. They typically provide measures to stop the spread of damage and begin making repairs. Damage may be too great for a property to be repaired and capable of being occupied again. In those cases, emergency response companies can provide for needs like temporary electric power, or temporary replacements for phones and computers.
Find more information about the South Carolina Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund online.