As a Florida based organization, we understand how stressful it is to be in the direct path of a hurricane. Especially, if you are on the construction jobsite. We’ve gathered our experience and knowledge to create a list of steps you can take to prepare the job site, equipment and portable toilets in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm.
Pre-Storm Preparations
1. Create a Hurricane Plan
Creating a hurricane plan is the first step we recommend. This can be done in advance, before hurricane season begins. It’s vital to have a plan in place, even if it’s just an outline to delegate duties to specific employees.
In your hurricane plan, you may need to consider your portable toilets. At Doodie Calls, we ask our clients to understand that some tropical storms can result in setbacks. Our goal is to service each and every client before the storm. Our customers are always welcome to pick up or order our portable rental services in advance to avoid a delayed service.
In an effort to get ahead of the storm, our policy is to service and pump out portable toilets in advance. This way, they are empty prior to hurricanes making landfall. We also do this in order to make sure our customers have ample time to secure toilets and place them in the safest location possible.
2. Track the Weather
Be sure to monitor weather updates on a daily basis, so you and your team won’t be caught by surprise. Hurricane season starts in June and ends in November.
Hurricanes can take weeks to form and make landfall. Though a hurricane’s path may be unpredictable, at least your team can be aware of the possibilities. Many weather stations are online, for example The Weather Channel, making it easy to quickly check on a daily basis.
3. Secure Job Site Equipment and Portable Toilets
Once you and your jobsite is in the projected path of a hurricane, it’s time to take action. Revisit your preparation plan, and assign tasks to employees. A critical step is to secure equipment and materials.
In the event of strong hurricane force winds, loose materials can become airborne and cause destruction. Tying materials down to solid secured objects is a great option. Additionally, placing materials or equipment inside garages or buildings can help to keep materials safe. Trash, tools, lumber, and especially portable bathrooms need to be secured in the even of a hurricane.
As far as portables, ultimately, whoever the portable toilets are rented to is responsible for the equipment during a tropical storm or hurricane.
There are steps we advise our customers to take to ensure your rentals are secured. We recommend that our clients secure a rope around the portable to keep the door shut despite hurricane force winds. Another way to safeguard the portable toilet is to use a rope and tie it to a solid secured object. This solid secured object could be a tree trunk, dumpster, or warehouse.
Additional steps we recommend are to lay the portable unit down. Be sure to lay it on the leeward side of the job site, out of the winds. If available, move the portable inside a building, like a warehouse or garage. If you have any further questions regarding your portable toilet rentals, contact us directly.
4. Water Removal Preparations
Often, contractors will have water pumps ready to go on the site. Contractors can place the water pumps in a safe, secure place inside a structure on the job site so that water removal can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. This is critical, in order to reduce water damage to equipment, materials, and the structure. This will also allow the team to get back to work as soon as possible.
5. Secure the Structure
Once you have outside preparations handled, you can begin securing the structure itself. Instruct employees to board up any openings with plywood or shutters to protect from damage. If flooding is a potential problem, have employees utilize sandbags to secure the perimeter of the structure to prevent water entering the structure.
Post-Storm Assessment
6. Safely Assess Damage and Equipment/ Portable Toilets
After the storm has passed and officials have cleared roadways for travel, it’s time to return to the job site. Proceed with caution as you assess damage and begin cleaning.
If there is standing water, be sure there are no downed electrical lines, or sharp/jagged objects that could be dangerous. Have some crews clear away fallen down branches or leaves. Have other crews check inside and around the structure for damage.
We hope our communities will be safe and prepared this hurricane season, and we look forward to providing our clients with exceptional service. Visit us at our website if you have any questions.
