SC&RA publishes severe weather guidelines

The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), an international trade association for the crane and rigging and specialized transportation industries, is publishing ‘Severe Weather Guidelines for the Crane and Rigging Industry’.

The guide includes recommendations and emergency planning guidelines for severe weather conditions including tornadoes, hurricanes, winds, thunderstorms and snow. It outlines job preparation before, during and after severe weather and includes timelines for preparation work. The aim of the guide is to help its members minimise risk, reinforce safe work practices and to be prepared, said SC&RA.

The publication was the result of a nine-month process which included input from SC&RA members. The SC&RA stated that the procedures outlined in the guidelines are not designed to replace the need for individual planning but rather to provide overall planning and supplement programmes companies already have in place.

The resource contains sample checklists for branch managers, safety managers, superintendents, and general foremen. Templates are provided for companies with limited resources or who are trying to get their weather preparedness up to speed as soon as possible.

“The crane and rigging industry now has a tool to help companies and employees prepare for inclement weather,” said SC&RA Senior Vice President Beth O’Quinn. “Our fundamental goal with this guidance is to make the workplace safer when weather becomes a factor. Acknowledging the unpredictability of severe weather events, we incorporated suggestions surrounding preparedness levels and lead times for implementing work stoppages based on weather forecasts.

“We encourage all SC&RA members to download the free, members-only resource and begin formalising their plans to deal with severe weather.”

 Severe Weather Guidelines for the Crane & Rigging Industry can be found at: www.scranet.org/membersonly