SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE

08PR153C LIGHTNING AND THUNDER STORMS

Brierty Ltd ABN 65 095 459 448

72 Melville Parade South Perth WA 6151
Locked Bag 2001 South Perth WA 6951
Telephone (08) 9267 8000
Facsimile 1300 735 152
info@brierty.com.au
LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORMS
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE

CONTENTS
1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... 3
3 References ................................................................................................................................................. 3
4 Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Project Manager / Site Supervisor ..................................................................................................... 3
4.2 Employees / Subcontractors .............................................................................................................. 3
5 Thunderstorms ........................................................................................................................................... 3
6 Procedure ................................................................................................................................................... 3
6.1 Personnel in an Exposed Position ..................................................................................................... 3
6.2 Personnel in Machinery ..................................................................................................................... 4
6.3 Personnel Conducting Blasting Operations ....................................................................................... 4
6.4 Personnel in Site Offices ................................................................................................................... 5
6.5 Wet and Windy Weather .................................................................................................................... 5
6.6 First Aid .............................................................................................................................................. 5

DOCUMENT CONTROL
Document ID Document Name Comment
08PR153C Lightning and Thunder Storms

Date Version Description Originator Reviewer Approver

18/06/09 1 Safe Work Procedure T Thompson S Hart S Hart
04/08/10 2 New Document Control Guidelines K Berridge S Hart S Hart
24/01/13 3 Updated 6.2 T Thompson B Bryan B Bryan

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LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORMS
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE

1 PURPOSE
To help ensure the safety, health and welfare of all personnel working for Brierty Ltd where there is the
occurrence of thunderstorms and lightning.

2 DEFINITIONS
Thunderstorm: A transient, sometimes violent storm of thunder and lightning, often accompanied by rain
and sometimes hail.

Should: Highly recommended.

Shall: Mandatory.

3 REFERENCES
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996

Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994

Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995

AS 1768:1991 – Lightning Protection

4 RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 PROJECT MANAGER / SITE SUPERVISOR
Are responsible for ensuring personnel have, or are transferred to sufficient shelter during a thunderstorm
and informing personnel of this procedure through communication such as a Toolbox Meeting.

4.2 EMPLOYEES / SUBCONTRACTORS

Are to adhere to the Supervisors / Project Managers safety instructions during a thunderstorm.

5 THUNDERSTORMS
Thunderstorms occur when moist air near the ground becomes heated, especially in the summer, and rises,
forming cumulonimbus clouds that produce rain. Electrical charges accumulate at the bases of the clouds
until lightning is discharged. Air in the path of the lightning expands as a result of being heated, causing
thunder. Thunderstorms can also be caused by temperature changes triggered by volcanic eruptions and
forest fires, and they occur with much greater frequency at the equatorial regions than in Polar Regions.

6 PROCEDURE
6.1 PERSONNEL IN AN EXPOSED POSITION
If the time interval between a lightning flash and hearing the thunder becomes less than 15 seconds, move
quickly to a protected location as there is immediate danger of a lightning strike nearby.

Observe the following precautions:

 Seek shelter in a substantial building with at least normal headroom or in a totally enclosed, metal
bodied vehicle.

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 If on open ground, away from shelter, crouch down in a ditch, low area or foot of a hill, DO NOT lie
flat on the ground or place your hands on the ground!
 Avoid high ground and isolated trees, lightning will strike the tallest object.
 Avoid touching or standing near metal structures.
 Avoid handling metallic objects and remove any metallic objects from your hair or head covering.
 Limit the use of phones when a thunderstorm is overhead.
 Avoid swimming or wading.

6.2 PERSONNEL IN MACHINERY

Motor vehicles are well insulated, if substantial shelter is not in the immediate vicinity, it is best to stay in the
vehicle, close all windows, place your hands on your lap and listen for the latest weather forecast on the
radio.

If your machine is struck by lightning and has tyres the following applies as there is a risk that the tyres may
explode:

 Use the Emergency Radio procedure immediately alerting employees that the machine has been
struck by lightning, if the radio is damaged by the strike, use a mobile phone if available;
 If there is evidence of fire around the engine bay, activate the fire suppression system;
 The mobile plant operator shall follow the instructions of the responsible supervisor, with regard to
actions from that point;
 In the event that instructions are not received from the supervisor in a timely fashion, the mobile
plant operator should attempt to park the machine on level ground and in an isolated location,
preferably where the operator can be reached within five, (5) minutes.
 Where practical, find a location that provides at least 500 metres clearance from any operations,
travelling roads, buildings and or structures;
 If possible, park up mobile plant facing a pit wall, windrow or any solid barrier;
 Apply the park brake and Shut Down the vehicle engine;
 Under the instruction of the supervisor, exit the cab, move away from the mobile plant keeping the
mobile plant between you and the affected tyre. You should move at least 500 metres away from
the front of the vehicle, DO NOT walk to the side of the machine and place yourself in the line of fire
of an exploding tyre.

6.3 PERSONNEL CONDUCTING BLASTING OPERATIONS

All work associated with blasting operations should be suspended and personnel should be withdrawn to a
safe distance from explosives when the storm is approaching.

High equipment such as drilling rigs, shovels or excavators should be moved to a safe distance from
explosives

WA Mines Safety and Inspection Regulation 8.38(2) states:

“If, in the opinion of the manager of a mine, the proximity of an electrical storm is such as to constitute a
danger to the process of charging and firing, the manager must ensure that the work in connection with
the charging and firing ceases, and that all employees are withdrawn from the area of that work.”

• No explosives can be considered immune to a direct lightning strike.

• Remove all surface initiation from the loaded shot.
 Evacuate all personnel to an area outside a 500m radius from the location of the loaded Shot.

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 Drilling activities must cease if the Mine area is to be evacuated due to lightning in the area.
• Raise the drill string, lower the mast and shut down the drill rig.
• Wait inside the drill rig until transport arrives

6.4 PERSONNEL IN SITE OFFICES

Whilst persons inside buildings are generally protected against the direct effects of lightning, other
circumstances exist where the indirect effects of lightning can be transmitted within buildings via entry points
such as the electricity mains, telephones, aerials, flues, air-conditioners, metallic roofs gutters and
downpipes, and exit points such as water and gas services.

Despite certain installation practices that minimise these indirect effects and whether or not the building has
an air termination, persons inside buildings should take basic precautions by avoiding unnecessary contact
with such entry and exit points.

• Avoid the use of fixed telephone systems, base radios (other than handheld radios, mobile and
cordless telephones).
• Any disconnection of “valued” electronic equipment should be at the wall-socket and well in advance
of the storm's arrival.
• Avoid contact with metallic sinks basins and plumbing due to the risk of damage. Listen to the
radio for updated weather forecasts.

6.5 WET AND WINDY WEATHER

Wet and windy weather can make work unsafe. Seek shelter as required.

Protective clothing (e.g. raincoats, rubber boots) shall be provided where necessary – allow for restricted
movement when wearing wet weather gear.

If working in wet and windy weather observe the following pre-cautions:

 Stay Alert
 Clean windows and keep wipers in good condition
 Turn on all working lights.
 Drive to suit the conditions (e.g. reduce speed)
 If windows fog up, turn on air conditioning to de-humidify the cabin area.
 Ensure haul roads have adequate drainage.
 Secure materials
 Do not work at heights
 Suspend an activity if windy weather creates an unsafe situation, for example:
o Excavations (may be an increased risk of trench collapse)
o Using hand tools
o Walking on wet and slippery platforms.

6.6 FIRST AID

People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely. They are usually rendered
unconscious and stop breathing.

Call for help using a two way or other site communications or dial 000

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