Product Overview

Summary: This Weather Considerations and Preparations SOP provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning and carrying out work safely under changing Australian weather conditions. It helps businesses anticipate and manage heat, storms, high winds, rain, cold and other extremes, so work can continue safely, legally and with minimal disruption.

Australian workplaces are exposed to some of the most variable and extreme weather conditions in the world – from heatwaves and thunderstorms to high winds, heavy rain and sudden cold snaps. Without a structured approach, these conditions can quickly create unsafe environments, damage equipment, disrupt operations and expose businesses to WHS and legal risk. This Weather Considerations and Preparations Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, repeatable process to assess forecast conditions, plan work accordingly and implement controls before the weather becomes a problem.

The SOP guides supervisors and managers through pre-planning, monitoring and on-the-day decision-making, including trigger points for modifying, suspending or rescheduling work. It covers heat stress, UV exposure, lightning and storm activity, high-wind impacts on cranes and elevated work platforms, slippery surfaces, reduced visibility, flooding risk and cold exposure. By embedding this procedure into day-to-day operations, organisations can protect workers, safeguard assets, maintain productivity where it is safe to do so, and demonstrate that reasonably practicable steps have been taken to manage weather-related risks under Australian WHS laws.

Key Benefits

• Ensure weather-related hazards are identified and controlled before work starts, rather than reacting after incidents occur.
• Reduce the risk of heat stress, UV overexposure, slips, trips, falls and wind-related incidents across outdoor and partially enclosed worksites.
• Improve decision-making by setting clear weather trigger points for modifying, suspending or rescheduling work.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS duties by documenting a systematic approach to managing environmental and weather risks.
• Minimise downtime, rework and damage to plant, equipment and materials caused by unanticipated weather impacts.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Facility Managers
• Event Managers
• Mining Supervisors
• Civil Works Supervisors
• Agricultural Operations Managers
• Emergency Response Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Heat stress, dehydration and heat stroke during hot weather and heatwaves
• UV radiation exposure leading to sunburn and long-term skin cancer risk
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, muddy or icy surfaces
• High-wind impacts on cranes, mobile plant, scaffolding and elevated work platforms
• Lightning strikes during thunderstorms, particularly on exposed or elevated worksites
• Reduced visibility from heavy rain, fog, dust or smoke affecting vehicle and plant operation
• Cold stress and hypothermia in prolonged cold, wet or windy conditions
• Flooding, flash flooding and water ingress affecting access, egress and electrical safety
• Material blow-off, unsecured loads and flying debris in strong winds
• Weather-related fatigue and reduced concentration increasing the likelihood of human error

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Weather Categories
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Weather Information Sources and Monitoring Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Planning for Seasonal and Extreme Weather
• 6.0 Risk Assessment for Weather-Dependent Tasks
• 7.0 Heat and UV Exposure Controls
• 8.0 High Wind and Storm Preparation (including cranes, EWP and scaffolding)
• 9.0 Rain, Flooding and Wet Surface Controls
• 10.0 Cold Weather and Wind Chill Controls
• 11.0 Lightning and Severe Storm Procedures
• 12.0 Work Modification, Suspension and Rescheduling Criteria
• 13.0 PPE Requirements for Adverse Weather Conditions
• 14.0 Communication, Induction and Toolbox Talk Requirements
• 15.0 Emergency Response and Evacuation in Severe Weather
• 16.0 Post-Weather Event Inspection and Recovery
• 17.0 Record Keeping, Reporting and Documentation
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work: Code of Practice (for storm and high-wind noise environments)
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat
• Cancer Council Australia – Guidelines for UV protection in outdoor work (industry best practice reference)
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules) – for managing electrical risks in wet conditions
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – for work at height in adverse weather
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – requirements with guidance for use