Contractors urged to plan
for active hurricane season
PHILIPSBURG--Hurricane forecasters have warned that the 2007 hurricane season will be a very active one and contractors and builders are requested to have a plan in place to prepare and secure their job sites for an impending hurricane strike.
According to a release issued by Government Information Service (GIS), materials such as plywood, shingles, zinc, and scraps of lumber could become flying missiles capable of impaling brick walls or anything in its way.
With up to 17 named storms forecasted, and at least 10 likely to become hurricanes, contractors and builders are urged to live up to the responsibility of securing job sites for the protection of the public, the property and surroundings.
The release stated, “With the amount of building and construction activity currently taking place on the island, every construction site supervisor or foreman is advised to have a plan in place with respect to what action they will be taking, and the time to prepare is now, before the peak period of the hurricane season.”
Some suggestions include making it a general rule to keep all job sites clean. The release stated, “Contractors should also arrange for timely pick up of trash dumpsters… Only keep materials on the job site you actually will install at any given week, and keep construction equipment secure, or remove them from the job site when a hurricane strike is impending. Any planned supply deliveries should be postponed.
“When a hurricane warning is issued, remove all scaffolding, and remove (or safely secure) all building materials and equipment. Sub-contractors should also be alerted to their responsibilities as well with respect to securing or removing their materials and equipment.”
The release also stated that jobs such as window installations, house wrap, or landscaping that will likely become damaged by the hurricane should be stopped when hurricanes are near. Contractors should, on the other hand, complete those construction tasks that will likely prevent damage, such as concrete work, closing in a house, or filling in foundation excavations.
Once the hurricane is over and the all-clear signal has been given by the Emergency Operations Centre headed by the Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten, “return to the job site for damage inspection. Keep in mind that damages from the hurricane may impede efforts for immediate repairs.”
