Construction Law

Is Your Construction Site Safe From a Hurricane? Part 3 featured image

Is Your Construction Site Safe From a Hurricane? Part 3

Every Florida resident has intently stared at the television when there is a hurricane alert. Construction professionals are also aware of the fluctuating nature of storm patterns. When and where a hurricane will make landfall can be difficult to predict until it arrives; however, it’s critical that your site is prepared well in advance of the worst case scenario.

In this four-part article, a Jacksonville construction lawyer is providing tips on how you can secure your construction site if it is in the path of a hurricane. In the first and second sections, we discussed developing a safety plan and obtaining the right materials to secure your site. In this section, we will talk about putting your safety plan into action.

Evaluate Your Site

When you evaluate your site and document the work in progress, it’s also critical that you assess any potential risks that are present. When a storm hits, strong winds can grab materials and objects and turn them into projectiles. In addition, poor infrastructure or incomplete projects can become completely unhinged.

When evaluating these risks, it’s also important to consider any additional project costs that may be incurred after the storm has passed. You need to document these hazards and prospective changes to the project and contact stakeholders to ensure you are on the same page. Everything from hazards to the project budget to the schedule and deadlines needs to be assessed. In the final part of this series, a Jacksonville construction attorney will discuss assessing the damage after the hurricane has passed.

Necessary Tasks

After evaluating the potential hazards, you and your workers need to perform the necessary tasks to ensure that your worksite is secure. Here are some of those tasks:

  • Equipment: It’s best to remove equipment and machinery from the jobsite if you can; however, if equipment cannot be removed quickly, it will need to be tied down.
  • Materials: Sandbags and ropes can be used to tie or weigh down materials that can become projectiles. Any materials that may become loose during hurricane winds need to be removed. To avoid water damage, remove any materials that would be at risk if flooding occurs.
  • Onsite Objects: Portable bathrooms, dumpsters, and other objects onsite should be removed or securely fastened during a hurricane alert. Temporary fencing, signage, and other objects should be torn down and removed.
  • Incomplete Work: If there is infrastructure issues with incomplete work, try to complete these projects before the storm arrives. Board up windows and doors and place sandbags anywhere that needs support.
  • Final Tasks: Turn off all power and make certain that you have plenty of fuel to operate your generators.

If you would like to speak with a Jacksonville construction litigation attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.