Stay proactive, protect your crews, and minimize risk this storm season.
Each year, Florida contractors brace for hurricane season, officially running from June 1 to November 30. Whether you’re a roofing company repairing storm-damaged shingles or an HVAC team servicing flooded systems, the risks are real and recurring. And for trade contractors, the impacts of a storm go far beyond damaged equipment. They affect job timelines, crew safety, insurance claims, and business continuity.
That’s why preparing in advance isn’t optional, it’s essential.
At BrightFund, we’re more than just a workers compensation policy. We’re a partner in prevention. Below, we’ve put together a comprehensive Hurricane & Storm Safety Checklist specifically for licensed roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, masonry, and sheet metal professionals operating in Florida.
Contractor Hurricane Safety Checklist
Use this guide to proactively inspect, prepare, and train your team before the next storm hits.
1. Inspect Job Sites & Secure Loose Materials
Storm winds can turn unsecured tools and materials into serious hazards. Conduct a pre-season inspection of your work areas, both active and upcoming.
- Roofers: Secure scaffolding, tarps, and roofing materials. Reinforce temporary structures.
- HVAC contractors: Tie down units stored outdoors and remove debris from installation sites.
- Electricians & Plumbers: Label and store cable spools, pipes, and gear in wind-resistant storage.
- Masonry & Sheet Metal crews: Ensure bricks, blocks, and metal panels are covered and stacked properly to avoid displacement.
Tip: Create a site-specific storm plan for every ongoing job that outlines responsibilities for storm prep and cleanup.
2. Check & Protect Tools and Equipment
Storm prep isn’t just about safety, it’s also about minimizing costly damage.
- Inventory all tools and document serial numbers.
- Relocate expensive equipment offsite if flooding is expected.
- Store essential gear in waterproof containers and elevated locations.
- Ensure all vehicles are fueled and relocated away from flood-prone zones.
3. Back Up Critical Business Records
Whether it’s project plans, contracts, or COIs, losing documentation during a storm can paralyze operations.
- Use cloud-based platforms to back up employee data, work orders, and insurance policies.
- Digitally store your Certificates of Insurance, especially if you’re a BrightFund member and need to reissue them post-storm.
4. Train Crews on Emergency Protocols
Safety starts with knowledge. Hold a pre-season safety meeting with your full team to review:
- Evacuation plans
- Weather alert systems (FEMA app, NOAA weather radio)
- Jobsite shutdown procedures
- First aid and injury response
- BrightFund’s claims process and reporting timeline
5. Protect Your People: Prioritize Worker Safety
When a storm is approaching, no deadline is more important than your crew’s well-being.
- Establish go/no-go decision timelines based on storm warnings.
- Create a clear communication chain (text, phone tree, app).
- Designate a point person for each jobsite to oversee storm shutdowns.
- Ensure all team members have PPE for post-storm work, including respiratory protection and waterproof gear.
6. Post-Storm: Resume Work Safely
Once it’s safe to return, take a cautious and compliant approach:
- Roofers should assess for hidden structural damage before stepping on a roof.
- Electricians must confirm power shutdowns before rewiring.
- Plumbers & HVAC techs should check for water intrusion and mold risk before beginning service.
- Masonry and metal teams must assess the integrity of materials exposed to floodwaters or debris.
Florida Storm Safety Resources for Contractors
Prepared, Protected, and Paid Back
Since 1955, BrightFund has helped Florida’s licensed contractors weather every kind of storm. As a self-insured workers compensation fund, we’re built by tradespeople, for tradespeople and we know exactly what’s at stake when hurricane season arrives.
From tailored safety programs to proactive claims support and the opportunity to receive annual dividends, BrightFund offers more than just a policy, we offer peace of mind.