Tried to lift a concrete panel in 30mph wind gusts outside Houston. Big mistake.

I was on a job site near Katy, Texas about 2 months ago. The wind kicked up out of nowhere while I was hoisting a 12-foot panel. The load started swinging like a pendulum and I nearly lost control. I set it down fast and told the foreman we were done for the day. Has anyone else had to shut down a job because of sudden wind?

2 comments

2 Comments

christophermurray4h ago

Wind wasn't that bad though right? Like 30mph is just a stiff breeze in Texas. Maybe you just needed to brace it better.

joel2802h ago

You calling 30mph "just a stiff breeze" tells me you haven't worked with flat loads in open fields. That wind hits different when you're 10 feet up holding a 400 pound panel. I've seen guys get thrown off ladders in gusts half that strong. A 12 foot panel catches wind like a sail, and one bad swing can snap your wrist or worse.