What should operators do if they experience lightning during work?

When lightning occurs during work, it is crucial for operators to seek shelter and await safety clearance. This action is important because lightning poses a significant risk to personnel, particularly when operating heavy machinery like forklifts. Seeking shelter protects workers from the potential danger of being struck by lightning, which can cause severe injuries or fatalities.

In addition, waiting for safety clearance ensures that all personnel are accounted for and that it is safe to resume operations. This protocol is part of ensuring a comprehensive approach to workplace safety during severe weather events, which often includes stopping operations until the storm passes and conditions are deemed safe.

Though alerting workers to stay indoors and stopping all operations immediately are important considerations, they fall short of providing a clear directive to ensure personal safety in the face of a direct threat like lightning. Seeking shelter as a standardized best practice allows operators to minimize risk effectively.