Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that lightning safety awareness is a priority for employees in all outdoor activities.  There is no location outdoors that is 100% safe from lightning strikes, however, being aware of and following proven lightning risk reduction guidelines can lower the risk of injury or death.

Lightning Safety for Outdoor Workers

Weather conditions should be monitored continuously.  Lightning may strike several kilometres away from the parent cloud and precautions should be taken even if the thunderstorm is not directly overhead.  Lightning can reach you even if the storm is 16 km away and there's a clear sky above you.

To judge how close lightning is, count the seconds between the flash and the thunder clap.  Each second represents about 300 metres.  If you can count less than 30 seconds between the lightning strike and the thunder, the storm is less than 10 km away and there is an 80 percent chance the next strike will happen within that 10 km.  If you count less than 30 seconds, take shelter, preferably in a building or all-metal automobile (not a convertible top) or in a low-lying area.

Use the 30-30 rule:
     - Take appropriate shelter when you can count 30 seconds or less between lightning and thunder.
     - Remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder.

Safe Shelter
     - Fully enclosed all metal vehicles
     - Permanent, substantial buildings
     - Don't go outside unless absolutely necessary
     - Keep away from doors, windows, fireplaces and anything that will conduct electricity such as radiators,  stoves, sinks, and metal pipes.  Keep as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
     - Don't handle electrical equipment or telephones.  Use battery operated devices instead.

If caught outdoors:
     - Keep a safe distance from tall objects such as trees, hilltops and telephone poles
     - Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape.  Seek shelter in low-lying areas such as valleys, ditches and depressions but be aware of flooding
     - Stay away from water.   Land as quickly as possible if you are on the water and a storm is approaching.   Lightning can strike the water and travel some distance from its point of contact.
     - Stay away from objects that conduct electricity such as power poles, fences and gates, metal machinery, electrical equipment, hauling machinery and radio equipment.
     - You are safe inside an enclosed rubber-tired vehicle but don't park near or under trees or other tall objects
     - If you are in a group in the open, spread out, keeping people several metres apart
     - If caught in a level field far from shelter and you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may be about to hit you.  Kneel on the ground immediately, with feet together, place your hands on your knees and bend forward.  Do not lie flat.

First Aid
Persons who have been struck by lightning receive an electrical shock but do not carry an electrical charge and can be safely handled.  Victims may be suffering from burns or shock and should receive medical attention immediately.  If breathing has stopped, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be administered. If breathing and pulse are absent, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation is required.