Workers warned over high winds danger
Construction workers and farmers were today warned against working at heights in bad weather, as Met Eireann predicted gale forces winds would rip across parts of the country this evening.
High winds, with gusts of up to 110 to 140kph, have been forecast for the north and west of Ireland while other parts of the country will see gusts of between 90 and 100kph.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) issued a safety checklist for construction contractors urging them to make sure scaffolding, hoardings, gates and temporary structures were secured as a matter of urgency.
The authority also called on building site workers to check that smaller items were secured as debris could scatter quickly, materials were stored in a safe manner and that scaffolding was checked for safety after winds dropped before work started again.
Farmers were urged not to go up on roofs to inspect buildings or tie down sheeting in high winds, as fatal accidents had occurred from roof falls in the past.
“High winds can make working conditions unsafe and anyone working in these conditions should be aware of the hazards.
“It is imperative that safety procedures are adhered to in order to ensure worker protection,” Tom Beegan, HSA chief executive said.
