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Wind: gusts set the limit, not averages

A '12 mph day' with 28 mph gusts is a gust problem. Work-at-height limits should key on the spikes — here are the numbers trades actually use.

Common stop-work wind speeds

WorkCautionStop
Ladder work / window cleaning12 mph20 mph
Roofing (sheets, footing)15 mph25 mph
Solar panel handling12 mph20 mph — panels are sails
Tree climbing / rigging12 mph20 mph
Spray applications (paint, pest)10 mph15 mph — drift and label limits
Cranes / liftsYour equipment manual governs — many cap at 20–28 mph; use the lower of manual vs site plan
These are general industry rules of thumb. Manufacturer manuals, engineered lift plans, and your site safety plan override them — always use the most conservative number that applies.

How CrewCast handles wind

The hourly view shows sustained wind and gusts separately, every at-height trade score deducts on the thresholds above, and the trade panel shows a plain "stop work when" line so the whole crew knows the trigger before conditions reach it.

Frequently asked questions

What wind speed stops roofing work?

General practice: caution above 15 mph, stop above 25 mph sustained — lower when handling sheet goods or on steep pitch. Gusts count: a gusty 18 mph day can be worse than a steady 22.

Why do gusts matter more than average wind speed?

Falls happen in the spike, not the average — a gust arrives without warning mid-lift or mid-step. Check the gust forecast (CrewCast shows it per hour), not just sustained speed.

What are typical crane wind limits?

Many mobile cranes cap operations around 20–28 mph with lower limits for large sail-area loads — but the manufacturer's load chart and your lift plan are the only numbers that count.

Can CrewCast alert on high wind?

NWS wind advisories and warnings for saved locations arrive as push alerts, and wind is scored into every at-height trade's conditions.

CrewCast provides weather guidance, not a safety guarantee. Always verify conditions on site and follow NWS warnings, OSHA guidance, and local code. See our Safety page.
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