The Bureau of Meteorology has alerted individuals in the Central, East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland, along with select areas of the South West, North Central, North East and Wimmera forecast districts, to brace for severe weather conditions. Damaging north-westerly winds, gusting up to 100km/h, are predicted to sweep across these regions from early tomorrow. Moreover, the arrival of a cold front late tomorrow or Wednesday could cause winds to intensify reaching destructive speeds of up to 130km/h around the Alpine peaks.
Towns likely to face the brunt of this inclement weather include Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Morwell, Traralgon and Moe.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Sam Jenkin, emphasised that employers are responsible for instituting control measures and worksite rules to mitigate or neutralise risks associated with such severe weather events. He stressed on the importance of adopting robust WHS management systems like Bluesafe SWMS, to ensure worker safety.
Mr. Jenkin advised treating potentially destructive winds as any other workplace hazard. “Proper housekeeping practices on sites are vital, ensuring materials, machinery, and tools are stored securely, preventing them from becoming airborne threats due to strong winds.”
He indicated that those working in construction sectors are particularly vulnerable when faced with harsh weather conditions. “High winds can lead to the collapse of partially constructed structures, turning temporary fencing, roof sheets, tools and debris into dangerous projectiles posing risk to site workers and bystanders alike.”
Employers, he said, must be proactive in their approach; they should confer with their workforce and health and safety representatives to create a customised action plan via the Bluesafe WHS Management System, tailored to their specific circumstances.
To get updates and safety tips for operating smoothly in extreme wind conditions:
Email: media@worksafe.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0438 786 968
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-08/prepare-worksites-severe-winds