Lightning Strike Safety Toolbox Talk

Lightning can strike a jobsite before rain starts or after a storm looks like it has moved away. Workers on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, steel, open decks, equipment, and wet ground are at higher risk when storms are nearby.

This talk focuses on recognizing lightning danger, getting to safe shelter, avoiding conductive materials, and stopping work before anyone is exposed to a strike.

Why This Matters

• Lightning can travel through metal, water, wet ground, wiring, rebar, fencing, equipment, and temporary power systems.
• Workers in open areas or on elevated surfaces are more exposed than workers at ground level inside a safe structure.
• Thunder means lightning is close enough to create a serious hazard.
• Wet tools, cords, ladders, scaffolds, and equipment can increase the risk of shock or injury.
• Trying to finish one more task during a storm can put the whole crew in danger.

Common Hazards

• Working on roofs, upper floors, steel frames, ladders, scaffolds, or aerial lifts when thunder is heard.
• Standing near cranes, boom lifts, forklifts, telehandlers, light poles, fencing, rebar, pipe, or guardrails during lightning activity.
• Using corded tools, temporary power, pumps, generators, or electrical panels in wet conditions.
• Taking shelter under trees, open-sided structures, scaffolds, equipment booms, or unfinished steel.
• Walking through standing water that may be energized or connected to temporary power.
• A storm moving in from behind buildings, hills, tree lines, or nearby work areas before the crew sees dark clouds overhead.

Safety Checklist

Before Work Begins

• Check the forecast for thunderstorms and know the expected timing for the work shift.
• Identify safe shelter locations, such as permanent buildings or fully enclosed vehicles with hard tops.
• Review how the crew will be alerted if lightning is seen or thunder is heard.
• Plan extra time to bring workers down from roofs, scaffolds, lifts, cranes, and remote work areas.
• Secure loose materials and lower elevated equipment before the storm reaches the site.
• Keep cords, tools, pumps, and temporary electrical setups protected from rain and standing water where possible.

During Work

• Stop exposed work when lightning is seen, thunder is heard, or storm alerts are issued for the area.
• Get off roofs, ladders, scaffolds, steel, equipment, open decks, and elevated platforms.
• Move away from metal materials, fencing, rebar, pipe racks, cranes, lifts, water, and temporary power.
• Go to the assigned shelter and stay there until the all-clear is given.
• Do not use corded tools, handle metal materials, or touch electrical equipment during lightning activity.
• Wait before returning to work after the last thunder or lightning, based on the site weather plan.

Crew Talking Points

• Where is our safe shelter location today?
• How long will it take workers on roofs, lifts, scaffolds, or upper floors to reach shelter?
• What metal materials, equipment, water areas, or temporary power setups should we avoid during lightning?
• How will we communicate the stop-work call if thunder is heard?
• Who will confirm everyone is accounted for once the crew reaches shelter?
• Speak up right away if you see lightning, hear thunder, receive a storm alert, or are unsure whether conditions are safe.

Stop Work If

• Lightning is seen anywhere near the jobsite.
• Thunder is heard, even if rain has not started.
• Storm alerts, weather radios, phones, or site leadership report lightning danger in the area.
• Workers cannot reach shelter quickly from elevated, open, or remote work areas.
• Standing water reaches cords, panels, generators, pumps, tools, or electrical equipment.
• The foreman, safety lead, general contractor, or local authority orders a weather shutdown.

Final Reminder

Lightning safety depends on moving early. When thunder is heard or lightning is seen, stop the task, leave exposed areas, and get to safe shelter.