Product Overview

Summary: This Flood Risk Assessment Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, repeatable method for identifying, assessing, and controlling flood-related risks in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations protect workers, critical infrastructure, and business continuity by integrating WHS obligations with practical emergency planning tailored to local flood conditions.

Flooding is one of Australia’s most frequent and costly natural hazards, and even minor inundation can create serious safety risks, disrupt operations, and permanently damage plant, equipment and buildings. This Flood Risk Assessment Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, evidence-based approach for evaluating flood exposure at the workplace, from understanding local catchment and drainage issues through to assessing building vulnerability, critical services, access routes and vulnerable workers. It guides organisations to move beyond ad‑hoc responses and develop a defensible, documented process for managing flood risk in line with WHS duties and due diligence expectations.

The SOP walks your team through pre‑season planning, on‑site inspections, risk rating, and the development of targeted controls such as flood barriers, safe evacuation routes, isolation of services and protection of hazardous substances. It supports coordination with local emergency services, councils and insurers, and ensures that flood risk is integrated into your broader emergency management and business continuity planning. By adopting this SOP, organisations can reduce the likelihood and impact of flood-related incidents, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate proactive compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant flood and emergency management standards.

Key Benefits

• Identify flood-prone areas, critical assets and vulnerable workers before an event occurs.
• Reduce the risk of injury, electrocution and hazardous exposure during flood and storm events.
• Ensure flood risk management processes are consistent, documented and defensible for WHS compliance.
• Improve coordination between site personnel, emergency services and local authorities during flood emergencies.
• Support business continuity by protecting critical infrastructure, records and supply chains from flood impacts.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Facility and Property Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Emergency Planning Coordinators
• Business Continuity Managers
• Local Council Infrastructure Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Risk and Compliance Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Drowning and immersion in fast-moving or rising floodwaters
• Electrocution from submerged or water-damaged electrical installations
• Structural failure or collapse of buildings, retaining walls and excavations
• Exposure to contaminated floodwater containing sewage, chemicals or biological hazards
• Entrapment due to blocked evacuation routes and inundated access roads
• Hazardous chemical releases from damaged storage, bunds or plant
• Slip, trip and fall risks on wet, muddy or debris-covered surfaces
• Vehicle incidents in flooded car parks, access roads and low-lying crossings
• Psychological stress and fatigue associated with flood emergencies and recovery

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Concepts (Flood Classes, Floodways, Flash Flooding, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Framework for Flood Risk Management
• 5.0 Pre-Assessment Preparation and Information Gathering
• 6.0 Site Flood Risk Profiling (Historical Data, Mapping and Local Intelligence)
• 7.0 On-Site Inspection and Hazard Identification Checklist
• 8.0 Assessment of Impacts on People, Plant, Structures and Critical Services
• 9.0 Flood Risk Rating Methodology and Risk Register
• 10.0 Control Measures and Hierarchy of Controls for Flood Risk
• 11.0 Integration with Emergency Plans and Evacuation Procedures
• 12.0 Protection of Hazardous Chemicals, Plant and Essential Services
• 13.0 Communication, Training and Awareness for Workers and Contractors
• 14.0 Coordination with Emergency Services, Councils and Insurers
• 15.0 Monitoring, Triggers and Escalation During Severe Weather Events
• 16.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Review Requirements
• 17.0 Post-Event Review, Lessons Learned and Continuous Improvement
• 18.0 Appendices – Sample Flood Risk Assessment Form, Checklists and Mapping Templates

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and state and territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS 3745:2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities
• AS 1851:2012 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• National Construction Code (NCC) – requirements relating to flood hazard and building performance
• State and territory floodplain management guidelines and local council flood planning controls