When Lightning Strikes: Protecting Your Workers

How to Prepare Your Jobsite, Train Your Team, and Minimize Risk During Severe Weather Events 

Lightning strikes can be dangerous, even when a storm is several miles away. A phenomenon called "bolt from the blue" refers to lightning that strikes well outside a thunderstorm, up to ten miles away. If you can hear thunder, you're within striking distance of a potential lightning strike, even if the storm seems far away.

According to the National Weather Service, lightning is the second leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the U.S., causing more deaths annually than hurricanes or tornadoes. Only floods result in more weather-related deaths each year.

While lightning strikes are often survivable, they can lead to serious injury. Approximately 90% of those struck survive, but may experience memory loss, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and neurological impairments. These long-term effects can be both painful and permanently disabling.

Statistically, lightning strike victims are most likely to be:

• Struck during the months of June, July, or August
• Male
• Struck between 2:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.

The Effects of Lightning on People and Animals

• Direct Strikes: Lightning strikes the body and travels either through it or along the surface of the skin. The effects can be devastating and may result in burns, cardiac arrest, or severe neurological damage. Because the body conducts electricity, the current can travel throughout, disrupting normal biological processes.
  
  
• Side-Flash or Flashover: Lightning first strikes a tree or another object, but instead of traveling directly to the ground, it "flashes over" to a nearby object or person. It can cause injury to people or animals nearby even though they were not directly hit by the strike.
  
  
• Step Currents: As lightning dissipates through the ground, it can come into contact with a person. Because the person has a different electrical potential than the ground, the current travels through the body—typically entering through one leg and exiting through the other.
  
  
• Touch Currents: A person is touching a conductive surface that is struck by lightning. The current may also travel through power or telephone lines, or plumbing systems, reaching someone in contact with an electrical appliance, telephone, or plumbing fixture. This is particularly dangerous for people inside their homes during a storm, as lightning can travel through wiring or plumbing systems, even if the house itself is not directly struck.

When to Take Shelter

Know your company’s policy for seeking shelter from lightning and other severe weather. Educate your employees on these policies. BITCO Risk Control can assist in developing severe weather procedures.

Monitor the weather for developing storms. Several smartphone and tablet weather apps include lightning detection and notification features.

Lightning can strike up to ten miles away from the rain area in a thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are within range of a potential lightning strike.

If caught outside:

• Move to a low-lying, open area away from trees, poles, metal objects, or other people.
• Squat down on the balls of your feet with your hands over your ears.
• Avoid puddles or standing water, as they are good conductors of electricity.

The threat of lightning continues longer than many people realize. Remain in shelter for at least 30 minutes after the last observed lightning flash. Lightning can sometimes strike even far away from the storm’s main center (known as a "bolt from the blue").

If Someone is Struck by Lightning

Workers who have been struck by lightning can be handled safely, as there is no residual electrical charge. Contact 911 immediately and provide first aid if you are properly trained.

Common injuries include:

• Burns and scorch marks at the points where the electrical charge entered and exited the body
• Nervous system damage, loss of hearing and/or eyesight, and broken bones, concussion
• Loss of heartbeat and respiration
• Psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression

Lightning is a powerful natural force. By understanding the risks and following your company’s protocols, you can protect your employees.

For more jobsite safety tips, contact your local Risk Control Consultant. Click the button below to find an agent near you. 

For information purposes only. BITCO's blog content does not address all potential circumstances and is not a substitute for business, safety, or legal consultation.