As hurricane activity intensifies across the Gulf Coast, construction leaders are stepping up efforts to prepare for weather-related threats to job sites, workers, and surrounding communities. In a move to boost industry resilience, Manhattan Construction Company is partnering with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to host a free hurricane preparedness workshop tailored specifically for the construction sector.

Scheduled for Friday, August 15, at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast, the workshop coincides with National Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide campaign that spotlights workplace safety and health initiatives.

“Safety isn’t just a priority at Manhattan Construction, it’s a promise,” said Craig Bryant, Vice President of the company’s Southwest Florida operations. “That’s why we’re excited to join forces with OSHA and NOAA to provide this critical training to professionals throughout the region.”

The program aims to provide actionable strategies for site supervisors, general contractors, subcontractors, and trade workers to reduce storm-related risks on construction sites.

Florida’s vulnerability to tropical systems—particularly during the peak of hurricane season—makes the construction industry uniquely susceptible to wind damage, flooding, and equipment loss. Unsecured cranes, exposed materials, and incomplete structures can pose dangers not only to workers, but also to nearby homes and businesses.

Experts from OSHA, the National Weather Service, and local broadcast meteorologists will present on topics including:

• Best practices for site lockdown before a storm
• Emergency communication protocols
• Evacuation planning and crew accountability
• Equipment securing and water intrusion prevention
• Post-storm damage assessment and hazard mitigation

The event will also feature a moderated panel discussion where attendees can hear real-world experiences from construction leaders who’ve weathered past storms, including Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Irma. A live audience Q&A will follow.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and networking, and the official program begins at 12:00 p.m. All attendees will enjoy a catered lunch and receive an official OSHA Safe + Sound Week certificate of participation.

While attendance is free, registration is required, and organizers anticipate high demand for the limited seating. Attendees can sign up online through Manhattan Construction’s website or OSHA’s event listings.

This workshop is part of a broader push during Safe + Sound Week to emphasize emergency preparedness both on and off the job site. The initiative, supported by OSHA and a national network of safety advocates, is designed to help companies develop proactive safety plans, engage employees in hazard awareness, and strengthen emergency response coordination.

“Construction sites are especially vulnerable during hurricanes,” noted one OSHA official. “This type of collaboration is exactly what we need to ensure preparedness and resilience.”

Bryant added that this event reflects Manhattan Construction’s deep-rooted safety culture and commitment to public service. “We believe every job site has a responsibility not just to its workers, but to the communities in which we build,” he said.

Past disasters have demonstrated the stakes:

• In 2022, Hurricane Ian caused more than $112 billion in damage, devastating job sites across Florida’s Gulf Coast.
• Dozens of construction projects were delayed or shut down due to lack of hurricane planning, with some sites suffering total losses of materials and machinery.
• These lessons have led to a push across the industry to adopt more storm-resilient site protocols and safety standards.

Organizers hope the Fort Myers workshop will serve as a model for similar training events across the Southeast, where thousands of construction workers remain exposed to weather hazards throughout hurricane season.

For more details and registration information, visit:
🔗 https://www.osha.gov/safeandsoundweek
🔗 https://www.manhattanconstructiongroup.com

Originally reported by Drew Wilson in Florida Politics.