Florida contractors know that hurricane season runs from June through October, and typically peaks in September. As a contractor, knowing how to prepare for bad weather systems is extremely important. And how bad weather may affect open projects.
What contractors need to know
Contractors need to be keenly aware of weather conditions throughout hurricane season. They need to take extra measures to secure worksites. Construction materials and other debris can cause significant damage if left unsecured during high winds.
How to prepare
Each storm system presents its own potential risks and effects. So it is important to pay close attention to specific weather conditions and follow the advice given via the weather channel.
But in general, the following tips will help to properly secure worksites for hurricanes and tropical storms:
- Identify vulnerable work in progress. Determine how best to protect it from damage.
- Prepare to remove, anchor, or restrain everything that could blow away. Examples include trash, lumber, port-a-potties, etc.
- Ensure that all construction debris is secured or placed in an on-site dumpster. If dumpsters are full, or even filled to half capacity, consider arranging to have them emptied before the storm hits
- Ensure that your on-site dumpster is covered when possible
- Secure roofing materials that have not yet been installed
- Remove the permit yard cardboard and job site signage
- Ensure that erosion control silt fencing is securely installed
- Keep all swales clear
Once again, following the specific recommendations for each storm that passes through is important. Varying wind speeds and degrees of rainfall will influence how you need to prepare your worksite. But these tips will help get you started. We hope these tips help you think through how to better prepare your site for a hurricane or tropical storm.
You want to do whatever it takes to protect your equipment, the neighboring structures, and your work in progress!
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