If working at height is already a risk in itself, imagine adding rain, strong winds, stifling heat or a cold that keeps you from even moving. This is especially critical in safety when working on wind turbines and wind farm maintenance, where workers face extreme conditions dozens of meters above the ground.
That is why weather conditions must be taken very much into account when planning or designing safety systems.
At Ypsos, we are aware that our products, such as guardrails or safety nets, are exposed all year round to whatever conditions arise, and so they are designed and manufactured with all kinds of situations in mind.
Why Consider the Weather in Work at Height?
Weather conditions directly affect both the stability of the worker and how safety systems can react. Installing a guardrail, for example, is not the same in Almería as in Asturias; the humidity is not the same, the cold is not the same, the frequency of rain is not the same, etc.
One of the most common mistakes is planning work at height without first checking the weather forecast, or designing a safety system without taking the local climate into account. It is very important to take the weather into account, and not to make the mistake of wanting to go faster or prioritizing deadlines over safety.
In these cases, where there is a greater risk of more serious consequences from the weather, prevention has to start well before the practical work begins: assess the environment and postpone the task if necessary.
Main Weather Risks and How to Prevent Them
What happens most often because of the weather is the deterioration of materials, which suffer as well: humidity accelerates oxidation, heat expands metal structures, and cold makes some components more rigid.
Rain and Humidity
Water makes surfaces slippery and also reduces the grip of footwear and footholds. On metal structures, it can also accelerate rusting if they are not properly treated.
In this situation, and to avoid greater risks, anti-corrosion treatment should be used, work should be planned for dry days, and non-slip PPE with moisture protection should be worn.
Wind
Wind is one of the factors workers deal with most in work at height, especially in fall and winter. However, it is often not given the importance it deserves, and it can cause anything from a worker losing balance to falling materials or even unstable structures if they are not properly secured.
It is important to suspend activity when the recommended wind speed limits are exceeded, secure tools and materials, and have guardrails or collective protection that are completely safe.
Heat and Solar Radiation
High temperatures increase fatigue, discomfort, and the risk of heat stroke. In addition, materials can become hot enough to burn, or if they are plastic they can melt or warp, reducing their strength over time.
In these cases, it is recommended to schedule work during the coolest hours, hydrate more frequently, and ensure work is done with good ventilation. Also use heat-resistant equipment made of materials that won’t burn afterward.
Cold or Ice
Ice, frost or fog drastically reduce grip, both for workers and for equipment. Cold can also make materials more rigid or affect how mobile devices work.
Tasks should be planned to avoid freezing hours, and it is important to check that ladders, platforms or guardrails are not frozen or covered in frost before using them.
Maintenance Recommendations
There is no single correct solution for all safety systems, since each one is made of different materials and is used in different situations and environments, with different frequencies, etc. So solutions adapted to each specific one should be sought.
At Ypsos, we design and manufacture our systems for work at height taking into account strength, durability and maintenance, factors that make our systems hold up and remain safe when the weather gets difficult.
And once we have our systems, what do we need to keep in mind to make them last?
How Often Should an Outdoor Installation Be Inspected?
There is no exact interval that works for every case, and it depends a lot on the type of system, the materials it is made of and, above all, the environment it is in.
Even so, what is always recommended is to carry out full inspections every year, or in less than a year. If the system is in a very humid, coastal or industrial area, it is recommended to shorten these intervals and inspect every 6 months, or even more often.
It is advisable to follow what is set out by current regulations and the manufacturer’s manual for each system, and to carry out the periodic inspections they specify according to the circumstances of each case.
What Signs May Indicate Weather Damage?
There are small details that can go unnoticed if we don’t look for them, but if we see them they are a clear sign that the system should be inspected:
- Rust or corrosion, especially at joints and anchors.
- Unusual movements.
- Wear or deformation.
- Loss of paint or coating.
It is important to detect these signs in time to avoid a worse situation later; therefore, a preventive inspection can avoid having to discard all the equipment.
Conclusion
The climate of the environment where the system will be installed, and the weather when working at height, must always be taken into account. Because of how important this is, it must also be considered when designing the systems before manufacturing them.
When materials are well chosen and the system is well made, maintenance becomes simpler and less frequent, although it must always still be carried out.