The only time you might be hurt is if you were outside in contact with both the machine and the ground at the same time, I'm not sure you'd be at much risk there either since the tracks would provide a far better ground than a person in shoes would.
That part, I'll disagree with. Lightning is pretty funny stuff, and it will sometimes follow other paths in addition to the best ground. You need not be
touching the machine. Just being close is risky.
Think of the advice to not seek shelter under a tree, for instance. It's because the tree is tall, but one would expect that the current would follow the tree, but it can also travel through you, if you're close enough.
A number of years ago, I was at an airshow, with the Civil Air Patrol. A thunderstorm swept in (ended the Blue Angels performace at about mid-show
), and during the storm, lightning struck a beer truck parked near the edge of the display area. It reportedly struck the fiberglass CB antenna, mounted to the driver's side mirror. There were tiny bits of fiberglass spread over about a 50 foot diameter circle. The CAP airplane was parked nearby, and several people who had taken shelter beneath the wings were shocked as well. The people weren't in contact with either the plane or the truck, and obviously the truck wasn't in contact with the plane either.
I googled around a little for more information, and came across the
National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI). There's lots of good lightning info there. (More than I had time to read.)
Cut and pasted from their site. (I bolded the part that seems to apply most.):
Section 4.10
Lightning Safety for Outdoor Workers
Lightning safety awareness is a priority at all outdoor activities. No place outdoors is 100% safe from lightning. The important thing to remember is to "Anticipate a high-risk situation and move to a low-risk location." A comprehensive lightning safety program consists of the following details:
Detection. Lightning conditions are to be monitored continuously. In most cases, a combination of a lightning network subscription service, a professional-grade lightning warning system, and a high-quality hand-held detector is suggested. However, if thunder is heard, the danger is close enough to suspend operations and to seek refuge.
Notification. Suspension and resumption of work activities are planned in advance:
Yellow condition: 20-40 miles (30-60 km). Threat may exist.
Amber condition: 10-20 miles (16-30 km). Threat is nearby
Red alert: 0-10 miles (0-16 km). No one is permitted outdoors.
Safe shelter. Safe evacuation sites include:
Fully enclosed all-metal vehicles
Permanent, substantial buildings
Designated metal shelters especially designed
Other locations as identified by ES&H personnel
Unsafe areas during thunderstorms include proximity to all metal objects, such as power poles, fences and gates, light poles, metal machinery, electrical equipment, hauling machinery, and radio equipment. Avoid rooftops. Avoid water. Avoid all open areas.
Re-assess the threat. Wait until thunder is no longer heard before resuming activities. Be extra cautious during this storm phase, as the lightning danger still may be a significant hazard.
Resume normal outdoor activities.
Policies & procedures. Education & training.
People who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to assist. Apply first aid immediately if you are qualified to do so. Get emergency help promptly.
