Dangers of lightning in open areas and vehicles

Lightning is a hazardous weather phenomenon and common across Western Australian mine sites and workplaces.

Lightning hazards

Employers and workers must take precautions to prevent exposure to lightning, as it is an occupational hazard in Western Australia with a high probability of injury if a worker is struck.

Employees involved in working outdoors, on or near tall objects, near conductive structures or in vehicles during a lighting storm are at an increased risk.

How workers can be affected by lightning

There are different ways people can be affected by lightning.

Direct strike

During a direct strike to a person, the electrical lightning current that appears at the base of the lightning channel is injected into the body from the point of strike.

Side flash

People may be hit by a side flash. These occur when lightning strikes an object, for example, a tree or a sea container, creating a potential difference between the object and the person.

Touch or contact voltage

Touch voltage happens when lightning current flows along an object, for example along a structure, tree or a wire fence that has been struck by lightning, and a potential difference is created between the ground and any other point on the object.

Step voltage and ground current

When a lightning flash strikes the ground, the electrical current flows radially outward in all directions from the strike point. As the current disperses out from the strike point, and if the ground is resistive, the current flow creates a very high voltage that decreases as one moves away from the strike point. Ground current can enter and exit the body through the feet.

Shock waves

Shockwaves caused by rapid air expansion can seriously injure a human at close vicinity of a lightning flash. As the channel 3 temperature rises to about 24,000 – 30,000 degrees Celsius in a few microseconds, the pressure in the channel increases causing rapid expansion of air creating a significant shock wave. The overpressure generated by thunder at the source may approach 10,100 kPa (1,470 psi) whereas a shock wave of 275 to 344 kPa (40-50 psi) might rupture an eardrum.

Connecting leaders

A stepped leader 2 comes to within approximately a few hundred metres of the ground, as several connecting leaders rise from grounded objects, including people. Only one of these connecting leaders makes the connection between the stepped leader and the connecting leader on the ground. Unsuccessful connecting leaders may harbor currents as high as 10 amps and may also cause significant injury.

Types of injury

Medical attention should be sought immediately for all lightning related injuries.

Mild injury

The person may be able to answer questions but may be confused and amnesiac regarding the event. Short term memory may be affected for days.

Moderate injury

The person may experience cardiac arrest but recover spontaneously, be disoriented, paralysed in the lower limbs, suffer burns and lose consciousness during the event.

Severe injury

The person may suffer respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest which may result in brain and organ damage.

Safe actions required by employers and workers

Safe work systems, procedures, training and safe management practices should be in place as preparation for potential lightning strike hazards.

Sheltering in an appropriate building is the lowest risk option during lightning. Providing sufficient warning to workers will allow them time to seek shelter in an appropriate building.

Appropriate buildings should have electrical earthing systems and lightning protection. Sea containers and small sheds without appropriate earthing systems do not provide adequate protection.

Advise workers sheltering inside buildings to avoid: leaning against walls; handling electrical equipment; touching plumbing including sinks, taps and coldwater dispensers; and stay clear of windows, doors, awnings or breezeways.

If workers are caught outside without building or vehicle shelter, the following actions will reduce the risk of being injured by lightning:

Stay away from objects that conduct electricity such as wire fences and gates, power lines, electrical and instrumentation circuits.

Avoid elevated areas including waste dumps, hills, ridges and peaks.

Never lie flat on the ground – it is better to crouch down with your feet together.

Stay more than three metres away from other people caught outside.

Never shelter under trees.

Stay away from bodies of water.

Vehicles, tyres and faraday cages

A lightning strike on a vehicle introduces increased hazards to employees.

Hazards include risk of vehicle fire, short-circuiting electrical systems and if the vehicle is being driven, loss of vehicle control due to tyre failure, driver injury or failure of braking or steering system.

A lightning strike on a heavy tyred vehicle may cause pyrolysis. Pyrolysis causes the inner liner of the tyre to rapidly heat, releasing gaseous, volatile, organic compounds into the tyre air chamber.

Under certain conditions, this mix can auto-ignite, be explosive immediately or with delay.

When pressure exceeds 6,900 kPa, debris may be propelled hundreds of metres which is potentially lethal to workers in the vicinity.

Sheltering in a stationary vehicle is safer than being in the open however, vehicles, including heavy tyred vehicles are not designed to be a faraday 4 cage. Enclosed rollover protection structures (ROPS) may offer minimal and uncertain protection.

During a lightning storm, never step onto the ground from the vehicle and never touch metal connected to the outside of the vehicle.

Further information

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety

Lightning and outdoor work – fact sheet

Bureau of Meteorology

Preparation and safety during thunderstorms

Australian Standards

AS/NZS 1768 Lightning protection