In brief
The legislation does not give a single figure for wind; it requires equipment lifting loads outdoors to be stopped when weather conditions deteriorate, temporary work at height to be carried out in suitable weather conditions, and the equipment's instructions for use to be taken as the basis for this assessment. What needs to be done on site is to write down the stop limit for each piece of equipment in advance, designate the person who monitors weather warnings and makes the stop decision, secure loose materials, and not resume work after a storm without an inspection.
Crane work in wind: what does the legislation require?
When a storm warning arrives, the first question on site is "at how many km/h do we stop?". The legislation does not answer this question with a single figure; it ties the answer to the equipment itself. There are three basic provisions for crane work in wind, temporary work at height and open-air work on construction sites:
- Annex II, item 3.2.7 of the Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment: When weather conditions deteriorate to the point of preventing safe use and exposing employees to danger, the outdoor use of equipment designed for lifting non-guided loads is stopped; in particular, measures are taken to prevent the equipment from overturning.
- Item 4.1.6 of the same annex: Temporary work at height is carried out in suitable weather conditions that do not endanger the health and safety of employees. In assessing suitable weather conditions, first of all the equipment's instructions for use and manufacturing standard are taken into account.
- Regulation on OHS in Construction Work Annex 4, outdoor workplaces, item 16: Employees are protected from adverse weather conditions; in workplaces exposed to strong winds, work is not carried out without the necessary safety measures.
In addition, Art. 13 of Law No. 6331 sets out the right of an employee facing serious and imminent danger to request that the situation be determined and to refrain from working until the necessary measures are taken. Being forced to work on a platform swaying in the wind is a typical example of this right.
Where do you read the crane wind speed limit?
The crane wind speed limit is set by the crane manufacturer and is written in the instructions for use, often next to the load chart. Many manufacturers give two separate values: the speed at which work is stopped, and the speed at which the crane must be put into its out-of-service position. On tower cranes, these values are monitored with the anemometer in the cab; for rules specific to tower cranes, see our article on tower crane safety.
When reading the limit, watch for three points:
- Wind is stronger at height. Wind felt on the ground can be considerably faster at the jib end or at 20th-floor level. The decision is made on the value measured by the equipment or the value forecast for that height.
- Gusts matter more than the average. Weather forecasts give the gust speed alongside the average wind. It is the gust, not the average, that swings the load.
- Large-surface loads lower the limit. Formwork panels, facade glass, sandwich panels or roof trusses behave like sails. Manufacturers require a separate calculation for such loads; keep the limit lower in the job instruction for large-surface loads.
For mobile cranes, ground bearing capacity is also assessed together with wind: Annex 4, item 51 of the Construction Work Regulation requires that work not be carried out without making sure of the ground's stability and, where necessary, levelling. Ground softened by rain, combined with the side load created by wind, increases the risk of overturning.
How is a weather warning used on site?
The Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) issues colour-coded warnings for meteorological events including strong winds and storms. According to MGM's definitions, yellow indicates "potentially dangerous", orange "dangerous" and red "very dangerous" weather. The warning usually gives the forecast wind speed in km/h. The table below helps match the forecast to observation on site (Beaufort scale):
| Beaufort | Speed (km/h) | Speed (m/s) | Effect seen on land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 29–38 | 8.0–10.7 | Small trees in leaf sway |
| 6 | 39–49 | 10.8–13.8 | Large branches move, umbrellas are difficult to use |
| 7 | 50–61 | 13.9–17.1 | Whole trees sway, walking against the wind is difficult |
| 8 | 62–74 | 17.2–20.7 | Twigs break off, walking is hampered |
| 9 | 75–88 | 20.8–24.4 | Roof tiles and light structures may be damaged |
For a warning to be of any use, it needs an owner on site:
- Person who monitors: The site manager or shift supervisor checks MGM warnings and the hourly forecast every morning and afternoon.
- Person who decides: The authority to stop crane work and work at height is written down by name. The operator's authority to stop work based on their own observation is also preserved; when the operator says "I'm stopping", no one tries to talk them out of it.
- Communication route: The stop decision is announced by radio and to the supervisors of subcontractors at the same time.
Stopping work in a storm: criteria by equipment
Write down the stop limit for each piece of equipment in the instruction before work starts, taking it from the manual. The table below shows the framework for the criteria to be written:
| Work or equipment | Stop criterion | Decision measure |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile and tower cranes | Manufacturer's operating wind limit | Anemometer in the cab or forecast for the height |
| Lifting large-surface loads | Lower limit set in the instruction | Immediately when the load is seen to rotate or swing |
| Mobile elevating work platform | Maximum wind speed on the platform label | Label value; a platform designed for indoor use is not used outdoors |
| Scaffold erection and dismantling | Weather conditions in the erection and dismantling plan | No erection when a strong wind warning is in force |
| Roof, facade and glazing installation | Limit set in the instruction | Panel handling, sandwich panel and glass work are the first to be stopped |
| Concrete pump boom | Manufacturer's limit for the boom | The boom is not left extended; it is folded |
Scaffolding covered with sheeting or netting catches the wind like a sail and puts more load than usual on the ties. When strong winds are expected, the condition of the scaffold sheeting is assessed with the engineer who prepared the scaffold erection plan. The training of those working on scaffold erection must also cover the measures to be taken in response to changing weather conditions (Work Equipment Regulation Annex II 4.3.6).
Storm measures: loose materials in the workplace
Materials blown off construction sites and factory yards in a storm endanger both employees and the surroundings. When a warning comes, before the wind picks up:
- Tie down or bring in light sheets. Metal sheets, sandwich panels, OSB boards, insulation boards, formwork plywood and empty packaging.
- Bring down materials at roof and slab edges. Formwork, tiles, profiles and tools left at height are the most dangerous wind-borne objects.
- Check temporary fences and signs. Mobile fence panels, fences covered with sheeting and advertising boards blow over in the wind; add weights or braces.
- Secure containers and portable cabins. Light containers and portable toilets can shift unless tied down.
- Check temporary electrical installations. Cable and distribution board connections can be damaged by flying materials.
- Close pedestrian routes. The area under cranes, around scaffolding and along roof eaves is closed to pedestrian traffic while the wind lasts.
The same logic applies in factories: roof ventilation hatches, stacks of pallets and packaging in open yards, sheeting on loading ramps and signs on the front facade are checked before a storm. For other preparations in winter conditions, see our article on workplace safety in winter.
Restarting after a storm
Work does not simply resume where it left off because the wind has dropped. Art. 7 of the Work Equipment Regulation requires the necessary inspections to be carried out by persons authorised to carry out periodic inspections after situations that may impair safety, such as accidents, natural events or long periods out of use. Before restarting:
- On scaffolding, the condition of ties, bracing, guardrails and sheeting is checked; for details, see our article on scaffold inspection and tagging.
- On cranes, the ground, outriggers, anchorages, rope and limit switches are reviewed; if damage is suspected, an authorised person is called.
- Lifelines and anchor points are checked for impact or deformation; our article on anchor points and lifelines provides guidance on this.
- Temporary electrical distribution boards and cables that have got wet are not energised until checked.
These checks are recorded on the daily site checklist and, if necessary, in the authorised person's report. Entering the annual and six-monthly inspections of cranes and scaffolding in the OHS calendar also shows which report is current at the post-storm check.
On construction sites in Bursa and neighbouring provinces, preparing wind instructions and stop criteria is part of our OHS specialist service, and planning crane and scaffold inspections is part of our periodic inspection service. For other sector-specific topics, see our construction page.
Frequently Asked Questions
At how many km/h of wind is a crane stopped?
The legislation does not give a single speed. The limit is written in the manufacturer's instructions for use; for large-surface loads, a lower limit is set in the job instruction. The decision is made using the anemometer in the cab or the forecast made for the height.
Should a construction site be closed under a yellow warning?
A yellow warning alone is not grounds for closing the site; the forecast wind speed is compared with the limits of your equipment. Work exceeding the limits is stopped, loose materials are secured and the forecast is checked again during the day.
What happens to an employee who refuses to work on a platform in the wind?
Art. 13 of Law No. 6331 gives an employee facing serious and imminent danger the right to refrain from working until measures are taken. The right step is to record the situation in a report and decide according to the wind limit on the platform label. The employee's pay and other rights during the period of refraining from work are preserved.
Who inspects scaffolding after a storm?
The scaffold supervisor on site carries out the first visual check. If damage is suspected, an authorised person registered in EKİPNET (the Ministry's register of authorised inspection personnel) inspects it under Art. 7 of the Work Equipment Regulation; the scaffold is not opened for use until the inspection is complete.
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Bursa SİSTEMER OSGB Technical Team — written from the field experience of our OHS specialists and workplace physicians. Legal information is valid as of the publication/update date; contact us for an assessment specific to your business.