Product Overview

Summary: This High Wind Procedure Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for preparing, responding and returning to work safely when wind conditions escalate on site. It helps Australian businesses protect workers, secure plant and structures, and meet WHS obligations during hazardous weather events, from sudden gusts to severe storms and cyclones.

High wind events are a critical risk for many Australian workplaces, particularly construction sites, ports, transport depots, outdoor events, utilities, and facilities with temporary structures or work at height. Unsecured materials can become airborne projectiles, mobile plant can become unstable, and incomplete structures or scaffolds can be compromised in seconds. This High Wind Procedure SOP provides a structured, repeatable system for monitoring wind conditions, escalating controls, and safely suspending or modifying work when thresholds are reached.

The document walks your team through pre-planning for high wind seasons, defining site-specific wind speed triggers, and assigning clear responsibilities so that decisions are made quickly and consistently. It addresses the safe operation and shutdown of cranes and EWPs, securing scaffolds and formwork, managing roof work and edge protection, and protecting the public around your site perimeter. By implementing this SOP, businesses reduce the likelihood of wind-related incidents, demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS law, and minimise disruption by having a controlled process for standing down and resuming operations after high wind events.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of wind-related incidents such as falls, structural failures and flying object injuries.
• Ensure consistent, defensible decisions about when to modify, suspend or resume work based on defined wind thresholds.
• Protect workers, contractors and the public by systematically securing plant, scaffolds, materials and temporary structures.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice relating to work at height, cranes and construction work.
• Improve operational resilience by planning for high wind events, reducing unplanned downtime and costly damage to equipment and structures.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Facility Managers
• Crane Operators
• EWP (Elevating Work Platform) Operators
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Event Site Managers
• Safety Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during windy conditions
• Collapse or instability of scaffolds, formwork and temporary structures
• Overturning of cranes, EWPs and mobile plant
• Flying or falling objects from unsecured materials and tools
• Damage to partially constructed structures and building elements
• Electrical contact from wind-blown objects contacting overhead powerlines
• Reduced visibility and loss of control due to dust and debris in high winds
• Public exposure to site debris and structural failures at the site perimeter

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (High Wind, Gust, Wind Speed Thresholds, Critical Plant)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Planning for High Wind Events
• 6.0 Wind Monitoring and Weather Information Sources
• 7.0 Wind Speed Thresholds and Escalation Levels
• 8.0 General Site Preparation and Housekeeping Requirements
• 9.0 High Wind Controls for Cranes and Lifting Operations
• 10.0 High Wind Controls for EWPs and Work at Height
• 11.0 Securing Scaffolds, Formwork and Temporary Structures
• 12.0 Securing Materials, Tools and Mobile Plant
• 13.0 Public Protection and Site Perimeter Controls
• 14.0 Stand-Down Procedures and Safe Suspension of Work
• 15.0 Post-Event Inspection and Safe Recommencement of Work
• 16.0 Communication, Training and Toolbox Talks
• 17.0 Emergency Response and Incident Management in High Wind Events
• 18.0 Record Keeping, Monitoring and Review
• 19.0 Revision History and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Cranes
• AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding series
• AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use series
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices series