Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical controls to protect workers from heat, cold, storms and other adverse weather conditions across Australian workplaces. It helps businesses plan work, select appropriate PPE, and implement environmental controls so tasks can continue safely and compliantly, even when the weather turns extreme.

Australian workplaces are increasingly exposed to extreme and unpredictable weather, from heatwaves and UV exposure to sudden storms, high winds and heavy rainfall. Outdoor and partially enclosed work environments in construction, civil works, mining, agriculture and utilities are particularly vulnerable, and businesses have a clear duty under WHS law to anticipate and control these risks. This Protective Measures Against Weather Conditions SOP provides a structured, defensible approach to planning and managing work when weather conditions can affect worker health, safety and productivity.

The procedure guides you through pre-planning using weather forecasts, risk assessment for different weather scenarios, and the implementation of control measures such as task rescheduling, shade and shelter, hydration protocols, wind and lightning exclusion zones, and cold and wet weather PPE. It clarifies who has authority to suspend work, how to communicate changing conditions to the workforce, and what to do when conditions deteriorate rapidly. By standardising your response to weather-related hazards, this SOP helps reduce heat stress, cold stress, slips, trips and falls, and equipment-related incidents, while evidencing compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant guidance on working in heat and outdoor environments.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of heat stress, dehydration and UV-related illness through structured exposure limits, rest breaks and hydration protocols.
• Ensure consistent, defensible decisions about when to modify or cease work during storms, high winds, heavy rain or extreme temperatures.
• Protect workers from slips, trips, falls and equipment instability caused by wet, windy or low-visibility conditions.
• Support compliance with WHS duties by documenting a clear, risk-based approach to managing weather-related hazards.
• Improve planning and productivity by integrating weather forecasting and contingency arrangements into daily work scheduling.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Operations Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Field Service Team Leaders
• Civil and Roadworks Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Agriculture and Horticulture Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during hot and humid conditions
• UV exposure leading to sunburn and increased skin cancer risk
• Dehydration due to high temperatures and physical exertion
• Cold stress, hypothermia and reduced dexterity in low temperatures or wet conditions
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, muddy or icy surfaces
• Falling objects or structural instability due to high winds
• Lightning strikes during thunderstorms, particularly on elevated or exposed sites
• Reduced visibility from heavy rain, fog, smoke or dust affecting vehicle and plant operations
• Electrical hazards from water ingress into equipment and temporary power
• Vehicle and mobile plant incidents on slippery or flooded surfaces

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Weather Categories (Heat, Cold, Storms, High Winds, Heavy Rain, Low Visibility)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Workers, HSRs)
• 4.0 Planning and Weather Monitoring Requirements
• 5.0 Risk Assessment for Weather-Related Hazards
• 6.0 Control Measures for Hot and Humid Conditions
• 7.0 Control Measures for UV Exposure and Sun Protection
• 8.0 Control Measures for Cold, Wet and Windy Conditions
• 9.0 Storm, Lightning and High-Wind Work Restrictions
• 10.0 Vehicle and Mobile Plant Operations in Adverse Weather
• 11.0 PPE and Protective Clothing Requirements
• 12.0 Work Scheduling, Rest Breaks and Hydration Protocols
• 13.0 Communication, Training and Worker Consultation
• 14.0 Triggers for Work Modification, Suspension and Site Evacuation
• 15.0 Emergency Response and First Aid for Weather-Related Illness and Injury
• 16.0 Documentation, Record Keeping and Review
• 17.0 Continuous Improvement and Audit Checklist

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and equivalent state/territory regulations)
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS/NZS 1319:1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment
• AS/NZS 2210.1:2010 Safety, protective and occupational footwear – Guide to selection, care and use
• AS/NZS 4399:2017 Sun protective clothing – Evaluation and classification