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High Winds: Knowing When to Stop
If the wind is too strong for the task, you have the duty to stop work before a mistake happens.
Why this matters
- High wind makes normal tasks dangerous. It can push a load out of control, tip a crane, or blow a person off a roof. Even if it feels okay on the ground, the wind is much stronger at the top of a tower crane or on a high scaffold.
- Wind can turn a piece of plywood or a metal sheet into a sail. This can pull a worker off their feet or snap a tagline. Safety is about knowing when the weather has become your biggest risk.
Talking points
- Check the wind speed before starting any lifting or high level work.
- Watch for sailing effects where flat materials like sheets are caught by the wind.
- Stop all crane operations if the wind reaches the limit set in the crane manual or site rules.
- Do not handle large surface area loads like shutters or cladding in strong gusts.
- Stop work on scaffolding or roofs if you feel the wind is making your balance unstable.
- Secure all loose materials, tools, and debris so they do not blow off the building.
- If the wind picks up suddenly, safely lower any suspended loads and seek shelter.
Ask the crew
- Where is the safest place for a crane load if the wind gets too high?
- How do you know if the wind speed is over the safe limit on our site?
- What materials on your current task are most likely to blow away?
Download the PDF with attendance sheet
More heat & weather talks
Rain and Flooding: Staying Safe After the StormThe Midday Break: More Than Just a StopAcclimatisation: Easing Into the HeatHydration: Water is Not EnoughRecognizing Heat Illness Early: Cramps to Heat Stroke
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