Product Overview

Summary: This Weather Impact and Storm Protocols SOP sets out clear, practical steps for preparing your workplace, protecting people, and maintaining critical operations before, during, and after severe weather events. Designed for Australian conditions, it helps businesses respond confidently to storms, high winds, heavy rain, lightning and extreme weather, while meeting their WHS obligations and minimising disruption.

Australian workplaces are increasingly exposed to extreme weather, from intense thunderstorms and damaging winds to flash flooding and prolonged rain events. Without a structured approach, severe weather can quickly lead to uncontrolled hazards such as flying debris, structural damage, electrical faults, and unsafe access and egress. This Weather Impact and Storm Protocols Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework to identify weather-related risks early, secure the site, and protect workers, visitors and contractors when conditions deteriorate.

The SOP guides businesses through weather monitoring, escalation triggers, communication protocols, and decision-making around work stoppages or modified duties. It outlines how to prepare buildings, plant, scaffolding, materials and temporary structures ahead of storms, as well as how to manage lightning risk, flooded areas, and post-storm inspections. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS laws, reduce the likelihood of injuries and property damage, and ensure that critical operations and services can resume safely and efficiently once the weather event has passed.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, defensible response to severe weather across all sites and shifts.
• Reduce the risk of injuries from flying debris, structural failure, slips, trips and falls during storms.
• Minimise damage to buildings, plant, equipment and materials by implementing timely pre-storm controls.
• Strengthen compliance with WHS duties by documenting clear roles, triggers and communication pathways.
• Support faster, safer resumption of operations through structured post-storm inspection and recovery steps.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Facilities Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Emergency Wardens and Chief Wardens
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Logistics and Transport Coordinators
• Business Continuity and Risk Managers

Hazards Addressed

• High winds causing flying debris and unsecured objects becoming projectiles
• Structural instability or collapse of temporary structures, scaffolds and incomplete works during storms
• Slips, trips and falls due to wet, flooded or debris-covered walking and driving surfaces
• Electrical hazards from water ingress, damaged overhead lines, temporary power and equipment
• Lightning strikes affecting outdoor work, tall structures, cranes and elevated work platforms
• Vehicle incidents in poor visibility, heavy rain, hail or localised flooding
• Falling objects from roofs, storage racks, cranes and elevated areas during high winds
• Exposure to cold, heavy rain, wind chill and associated health effects for outdoor workers
• Confined space and trench flooding risks
• Blocked or unsafe emergency exits and evacuation routes due to storm damage or flooding

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Weather Categories
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Authority to Act
• 4.0 Weather Monitoring and Early Warning Systems
• 5.0 Risk Assessment for Weather-Exposed Tasks and Areas
• 6.0 Pre-Storm Preparation and Site Securing Checklist
• 7.0 Severe Weather Escalation Levels and Triggers
• 8.0 Operational Decision-Making (Work Suspension, Modification and Rescheduling)
• 9.0 Communication Protocols and Notification Requirements
• 10.0 Controls for Specific Hazards (Wind, Lightning, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Hail, Heat and Cold)
• 11.0 Vehicle, Plant and Equipment Management During Storm Events
• 12.0 Protection of Temporary Structures, Scaffolds and Materials
• 13.0 Emergency Response, Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Procedures
• 14.0 Post-Storm Inspection, Damage Assessment and Reoccupation Criteria
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, Near Misses and Corrective Actions
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talk Requirements
• 17.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents)
• 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: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• State and territory emergency management and severe weather guidance (e.g. SES, Bureau of Meteorology advisories)