Natural Disaster Preparedness for Construction Sites

The threat of tropical storms and hurricanes is very real for Miami-Dade County during the six-month season, which runs from June 1 to Nov 30. It is important to understand your responsibilities before, during, and after the storm. During these months please make sure to place the In Event of a Tropical Storm Warning or Hurricane Watch placard at your site.

Construction Sites

In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service, you must secure your job site in accordance with section 8-16 of Miami-Dade County Code.  
 
Sites must remove and/or fasten down items such as:  

  • Construction Shacks 

  • Other Miscellaneous Construction Equipment 

  • Other Stored Building Materials 

  • Protect All Glass Areas with Storm Shutters 

  • Roofing Tiles and Insulation Boards 

  • Structures That Are Not Secure 

  • Temporary Electric Service Pole 

  • Temporary Toilets 

  • Trash 

  • Forms, etc. 

 

Elevator Hurricane Preparedness

Please visit Elevator Hurricane Preparedness to ensure elevators are ready before, during, and after hurricane season

 

Hoisting Equipment (Cranes)

Hoisting Equipment shall abide by the following precautions in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane warning declaration. 

  • Hoisting Equipment shall abide by all manufacturers' recommendations relating to hurricane preparedness including any relating to the placement and removal of advertisement banners, the use and removal of rigging. 

  • Tower crane turntables must be lubricated prior to the event. 

  • Mobile cranes with fixed booms must be laid down whenever feasible. 

  • Hydraulic cranes must have booms retracted and stored. 

  • Any counterweighted hoist must have the counterweight locked below the top tie-in. 

  • Tower crane must be set in the weathervane position. 

  • All rigging must be removed from the hoist block. 

  • All power at base of tower shall be disconnected by a general contractor. 

  • A hurricane preparedness plan which conforms with the requirements of this section shall be available at the site for inspection. 

Swimming Pool Barriers Hazard

After a storm, if your swimming pool barrier has fallen or is damaged, you must repair or replace it as a priority. A swimming pool poses a life safety threat even if it is empty.  

Until you can replace or repair your pool barrier, a temporary contractor safety mesh may be erected. You can buy temporary mesh at local home improvement stores.  

Also, if your swimming pool is not functioning normally, add chlorine on a regular basis to avoid excessive growth of algae and mosquito breeding conditions.