Kesava Pillai
252

I am posing a question and invite the forum members to discuss seriously.
What will be your answer if a student asks you the question noted below :-
"I need your advice on safety precautions to ensure safety of myself and my friends in rainy season". In fact recently lightening struck a neighbour and his death was sudden. Local daily asked me for safety precautions to be published to create an awareness among the public. I gave the write up. It was published just below the report on the death of the man along with his photograph.
From the feed back received I realized that we have to enlighten the public especially the young ones on safety precautions needed against lightening hazards.
Lightening cannot be prevented. It is a natural phenomena. However we can definitely take precautions and be safe from it. Let us have a fruitful discussion.

From India, Kollam
nathrao
3131

https://scroll.in/pulse/810598/light...s-be-prevented
Learned Member Pillai has touched upon a topic which is important.
Many people die in natural disasters and death toll is high.Most of the deaths can be avoided by due care.
Some tips to avoid lightning hits:
Seek shelter, avoid trees
Avoid metal objects
Plan ahead; avoid high places like exposed mountain tops, beneath trees.
Even TVs etc need to be switched off and disconnected
Some tips while staying in flats
Ask housing society to fix lighting conductors and properly earth the lightening conductors.

From India, Pune
nathrao
3131

Lightning strikes have been increasing in frequency and taking more lives than earlier.
Some statistics in this article:Indian State Records 36,000 Lightning Strikes in 13 Hours | Time.
"More than 2,000 people have been killed from lightning strikes in India every year since 2005, according to government data. Compare that to the U.S., where the annual average death toll is closer to 27"
A significant number of males (89%) have been killed by lightning flashes compared to females (5%) and children (6%) in India, which is most likely due to the larger proportion of males working and moving outdoors in lonely conditions.
So it becomes essential for us to take all safety precautions to avoid getting struck by lighting.

From India, Pune
PRABHAT RANJAN MOHANTY
588

Nothing is better than precaution.
It is always good to stay inside when it is lightening. Do not take shelter under tree or any of steel poles. Do not come out of car or bus while riding. Do not use any electrical or electronics devices that are weir connected. Avoid taking bath under shower or from water taps while lightening is on your area.
Install lightening arrester in your building or working area. Make periodical check of the earth and its earthing conductivity. Those are on work as far as possible stop work where there is a chance of electocution due to lightening and use of rubber sole boot and hand gloves.

From India, Mumbai
nathrao
3131

In this connection extract from Factories Act
(3) Protection against lighting.- Protection from lightning shall be provided for -
(a)building in which explosive or highly flammable substances are manufactured, used, handled or stored;
(b)storage tanks containing oils, paints, or other flammable liquids;
© grain elevators;
(d) buildings, tall chimneys or stacks where flammable gases, fumes, dust or lint are likely to be present;
(e)sub-station buildings and out-door transformers and switch yards.
(4)Precautions against ignition.- Wherever there is danger of fire explosion from accumulation of flammable or explosive substances in air -
(a)all electrical apparatus shall either be excluded from the area of risk or they shall be of such construction and so installed and maintained as to prevent the danger of their being a source of ignition;
(b)effective measures shall be adopted for prevention of accumulation of static charges to a dangerous extent;
©workers shall wear shoes without iron or steel nails or any other exposed ferrous materials which is likely to cause sparks by friction;
(d) smoking, lighting or carrying of matches, lighters or smoking materials shall be prohibited;
(e)transmission belts with iron fasteners shall not be used; and
Chapter IV .
....
MODEL RULES UNDER THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948 (Corrected upto 31-3-1987) .
. Chapter IV
34. SCHEDULE

From India, Pune
ambikumar
5

Your question is more useful for others.
Precautions from Lightening get inside a home or large building, or inside an all-metal (not convertible) vehicle.
Avoid using the telephone, except for emergencies. Do not stand underneath a natural lighting rod such as a tall, isolated tree. Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape as you would do if you were standing on a hilltop, in an open field, on the beach, or fishing from a small boat. Get out of and away from open water. Get away from tractors and other metal farm equipment.
Get off of and away from motorcycles, scooters, golf carts and bicycles. Put down golf clubs. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes, rails and other metallic paths which could carry lightning to you from some distance away. Avoid standing in small isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas. If you are forest area, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. In open areas, go to a low place such as a ravine or a valley. Be alert for flash floods.
Hope It makes you clear.

From India, undefined
dipil
713

Dear Sir,
Thanks for initiating the discussion.
I am not getting anything more, apart from whatever shared by other members. I think if this much a student can remember and able to execute, would be a great deal. I would summaries below as what one need to do during the case of lightning.
In case of Indoor:
1. Avoid use of all type of electrical equipment's including mobile phone
2. Try to be in a plastic / wood furniture and possibly try to avoid the contact with concrete floors and walls
In case of Outdoor:
1. Take a safe shelter is one available nearby. Avoid to get shelter in car or such vehicles.
2. In case no shelter available, try to take crouch position. The same explained with a picture in this link: https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/q...ghtning-strike
Please share your insights as like what are those vital actions once should know to get our-self and
others save from lightning strikes.
Awaiting to hear from you. Thanks.

From India
Kesava Pillai
252

I am looking for the safety people from the forum to comment on the subject.
I brought in a student to ask the question. There is a specific reason behind it. The answer should suit even a student to grasp easily.
Students are inquisitive. If you give them an answer, on the basis of it they will ask for another clarification. Therefore any answer to a student should be so convincing.
For example a shed is not safe where as a building is safe. Is it safe or comparatively safer ? Reasons too ?
For a student how relevant is factory rules or factories act ?
How using a mobile phone becomes unsafe if it is not connected to any cord for charging ?
Will using a telephone if connected through a cord will be excused by lightening if it is an emergency call ?
Hope we will enjoy the discussion.
Kesava Pillai

From India, Kollam
dipil
713

@Kesava Pillai,
Thanks for the simple and yet powerful response sir.
I will write my inputs soon. Definitely need to study the topic more to come up with simplest explanation. If you have good grasp on the topic, then only you can explain the same in very simple language.
In the meantime looking forward for other safety professionals involvement in the discussion here.
Thanks and looking forward.

From India
shadani-group
Lightning kills as many as 2,000 people worldwide every year. Hundreds more people are struck but survive, usually with lingering and debilitating symptoms. Here are some things you can do to avoid electrical storms and decrease your chances of getting struck.
Candy Store Online | Candy Shop Online | Shadani Group

From India, New Delhi
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