A new Met Office forecasting service could help to determine the need for edge protection on construction sites, both during the building work itself, and as a permanent fixture on the finished structure.
Launched earlier this month, the forecasts cover 3,600 individual locations, and give details across up to 16 weather parameters, with wind singled out for mention by the Met Office as an ‘as standard’ inclusion.
The data is drawn from long-term trends, and unusual once-per-decade weather events, giving an idea of both the typical conditions onsite, and the worst-case scenarios.
John Faragher, Met Office construction business manager, said: “These reports are the first of their kind in the industry and will make a real difference thanks to their extremely accurate reflection of onsite weather conditions specific to individual sites.”
For construction firms, accurate wind forecasts in particular can help to identify the need for extra safety precautions – for example, robust permanent edge protection in addition to man anchors and other tethers for personnel and equipment.
The crucial factor is ensuring nobody is blown off, whatever the weather, while also protecting against the risk of materials and tools falling from high roofs and potentially striking passers-by below.