Innovation: Adding Weather Tech to our Safety Arsenal

An old Midwest saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” Weather conditions across the Midwest can change rapidly and, at times, become hazardous. With a large job site to manage, Foundry Partners needed a reliable way to monitor weather conditions in real time so safety decisions and protective measures could be implemented immediately. 

To help mitigate weather-related risks, Foundry Partners’ Site Safety Team partnered with DTN to implement the DTN WeatherSentry platform. The system provides real-time weather data, alerts, and site-specific forecasts using information from seven local weather stations and a network of meteorologists. Site Safety Executive Mitch Allen has seen the benefits firsthand, noting that, “The ability to customize the app to our location is a game changer.” The platform helps teams make better decisions, improve safety, and reduce weather-related disruptions. 

The Site Safety Team uses this technology to support Foundry Partners’ “uncommon approach” to safety by providing timely weather updates to project teams and subcontractors. With multiple cranes currently operating on site, monitoring wind conditions is especially critical. Certain work activities become restricted as wind speeds reach 15 mph, with additional limitations at 20 and 25 mph. The DTN platform provides wind readings at various elevations, allowing the team to assess conditions at specific working heights rather than relying on ground-level measurements alone. Automated alerts for changing weather conditions and wind speed thresholds further enhance safety by notifying the team when action is needed, eliminating the need for constant manual monitoring. 

The value of the system extends beyond daily operations. During recent catastrophic flooding events, the advanced alert capabilities enabled the team to act quickly and proactively to secure the site and remove or stabilize loose materials before conditions worsened. These efforts helped prevent construction debris from reaching SR 32, protecting both the project and the surrounding community. Having access to early, site-specific weather alerts allows the team to prioritize worker safety while also keeping community safety at the forefront of their response efforts. 

By delivering accurate, site-specific weather information, the platform empowers the safety team to make informed decisions that protect workers, equipment, and the job site while minimizing unnecessary work stoppages and maintaining productivity.