severe weather awareness: tornadoes
Tornadoes can develop quickly, signs may include:
- Dark, often greenish clouds or sky
- Large, dark low-lying clouds
- Large hail -Approaching cloud of debris
- Funnel shaped clouds, roaring noise
While on the job:
- If you are outside, seek shelter inside.
- Have tools and materials properly tied down or stored during the potential for tornadoes if time permits. This avoid losing them in the storm and reduces flying debris.
- Get to a basement if possible or an interior room with no windows, preferably a bathroom.
- If you are around a lot of debris with nothing to cover you, lie flat and cover your neck and head with your arms. Most tornado injuries are from flying debris. Standing or crouching, flying debris can get you more readily.
- Avoid seeking shelter in or around sheds, dumpsters or other temporary structures, stay away from vehicles, large trees or other things that could fall on you.
- Ditches and culverts should be used as a last resort because you can be exposed to hail, debris, lightning and extreme wind.
- Be aware of who in the company is on a that job site, find shelter together if posible, keep track of one another before and after the storm.
- If you are driving and the tornado is far enough away, you may be able to drive away from it by driving at right angles. NOAA recommends changing course and driving toward a sturdy shelter such as truck stops, convenience stores or restaurants. Avoid seeking shelter at bridges and overpasses, you could be struck by debris and even pulled out from string winds.
