TT Club urges review of tie-down procedures

“This type of incident can result in serious injuries to workers and be very costly in repairs and operational downtime,” noted Laurence Jones, TT Club’s director global risk assessment. However, such incidents can be prevented, or at least the collateral damage caused can be restricted by having appropriate procedures in place and ensuring that they are followed.

Essential elements include having effective national and local weather forecasting systems and ensuring that operational procedures respond appropriately when sufficient warning is forthcoming. In addition, good practice dictates that storm pin or tie-down facilities and procedures are invoked.

Furthermore, appropriately designed braking systems, which are properly maintained, can significantly help in conditions of sudden wind bursts. There are two major windstorm issues to be considered: protection against forecast strong winds, and protection against sudden local winds, or micro-bursts.