A lightning strike is a natural event which significantly affects all outdoor activities, especially outdoor sports events, and can pose a risk if the right preventive measures are not considered. The data obtained by different institutions corroborates the high frequency of lightning strikes in sports events.
By definition, “a dry thunderstorm is a storm that has no or very little precipitation associated with it, but does carry electrical activity”. The absence of precipitation can create a false sense of security that poses a serious risk to the safety of people and structures. In this scenario, a system with sensors capable of detecting all phases of the storm and issuing warnings before the first impact can make a difference.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of United States details in its report on “safety in the construction industry” that precautions should be taken to avoid the danger of lightning to workers. In Great Britain alone, according to issue Nº. 401 of The International Journal of Meteorology, reports for over the past 30 years show work-related activities accounted for 15% of the total of deaths due to electrical discharges.
Thunderstorms are a major threat to agricultural and livestock farms, the most susceptible being the so-called extensive livestock farms, those with large areas of land for natural animal care.
