Lightning and storm check for outdoor crews

On storm days, the crew gets a short heads-up with the timing, today's shelter, and one rule: when thunder roars, stop and go inside.

What it does

The storm-season partner to the heat and cold checks. Each workday morning, your bot checks the National Weather Service forecast for the job site. If thunderstorms are possible, it texts the crew a short plan: when storms are most likely, where to shelter (a fully enclosed building, or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up), don't start a task you can't stop quickly, and stay sheltered 30 minutes after the last thunder. That's the advice in the OSHA/NOAA lightning fact sheet for outdoor workers. Roofers, framers, landscapers, utility and pipe crews, and anyone on ladders, scaffolds or heavy equipment get the most out of it. It's a reminder, not a replacement for your company's emergency action plan.

Copy-paste prompt

Every workday at [6:00 AM], check the National Weather Service forecast (weather.gov) for [job site town or ZIP], including any Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Warning.

If thunderstorms are possible today, send my crew group [chat/text group name] a short message:
1. When storms are most likely (e.g. "after 2 PM"), and any NWS watch or warning by name.
2. Today's shelter: [the building on site / our trucks]. Safe shelter is a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing, or a hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows rolled up. Open sheds, tents, trees and open equipment cabs are not safe.
3. The rule: when thunder roars, go indoors. If anyone hears thunder, even far off, stop and get to shelter. Stay there 30 minutes after the last thunder, even if the rain has stopped.
4. If storms are building, don't start a task you can't stop quickly. Get off roofs, ladders, scaffolds and heavy equipment early.
5. If someone is struck: call 911. Lightning victims are safe to touch; start CPR if they're not breathing and use an AED if there is one.
Keep it under 7 lines.

On days with no storm chance, send nothing. Base the tips on the OSHA/NOAA fact sheet "Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors" and NWS lightning safety on the job.