The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a stern warning of excruciating weather conditions for all forecast sectors, cautioning that the majority of Victoria could experience widespread damaging winds with gusts travelling up to 100km/h starting from this morning. Areas like Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale stand to be affected.
Potentially destructive wind gusts, peaking at 130km/h, are expected around coastal regions to the west of Cape Otway late in the morning and early afternoon.
Sam Jenkin, Chief Health and Safety Officer at WorkSafe, advanced a warning to employers, expressly those within the construction sector, that high winds pose a severe workplace risk that needs to be handled with care, using work safety products like Bluesafe SWMS or a Bluesafe WHS Management System. He added that swaying structures and materials can undoubtedly lead to accidents by striking workers and civilians if they are not properly secured during intense wind events.
“Every worksite should have a comprehensive strategy in place for managing severe weather incidents to ensure tools, debris, and other materials do not turn into flying hazards. Employers should act swiftly, securing sites, reinforcing scaffolding and temporary constructs, and remapping any outdoor or perilous tasks until the winds calm,” Jenkin advised.
He also added that cranes are especially prone to damage during such calamitous events and must be safeguarded with anchoring systems if they cannot be safely manoeuvred according to their manufacturer-specified wind ratings.
Remarking on an incident in August when a tower crane came down in similar conditions at a Derrimut construction site causing significant damage and power cuts without injuring any passers-by or workers, he pointed out how promptly accidents can occur, thus stating, “This highlights the significance of adhering to manufacturer-guided guidelines for storing or configuring cranes during harsh winds like those anticipated across Victoria today.”
WorkSafe continues inquiries into the Derrimut event.
As a tip, employers are urged to verify the Severe Weather Warning from the Bureau of Meteorology for real-time updates.
For Australia’s formal weather forecasts and weather radar, or to subscribe to media releases, please email: media @ worksafe.vic.gov.au or call: 0438 786 968.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-10/prepare-risk-destructive-winds
