Product Overview

Summary: This Weather Monitoring and Response Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step system for tracking weather conditions and activating timely controls to protect workers, assets and operations. It supports Australian businesses to make informed go/no-go decisions, meet WHS obligations, and respond consistently to severe weather events such as storms, heatwaves, high winds and lightning.

Australian workplaces are increasingly exposed to extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions, from heatwaves and bushfire smoke to sudden storms and high winds. Without a structured approach to monitoring and responding to these conditions, businesses face heightened risks to worker safety, disrupted operations, damage to plant and equipment, and potential breaches of WHS legislation. This Weather Monitoring and Response SOP provides a practical, defensible framework to systematically track weather information, assess risk levels, and trigger appropriate control measures before conditions become unsafe.

The document translates weather data and forecasts into clear actions on the ground. It outlines who is responsible for monitoring Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) updates, how often checks must occur, and what thresholds apply for specific activities such as working at height, crane operations, outdoor events, hot work, remote and isolated work, and heat-exposed tasks. It also sets out communication protocols, escalation pathways, and step-by-step response plans for different weather scenarios, including severe thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, high winds, heavy rain, flooding and poor air quality. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, reduce confusion during fast-changing conditions, and protect both their people and projects.

This SOP is designed to integrate with existing risk management processes, emergency plans and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS). It supports consistent decision-making across sites, contractors and shifts, and provides a clear audit trail of weather-related decisions. The result is a safer, more resilient operation that can continue to function efficiently while respecting the limits imposed by Australia’s challenging climate.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, documented approach to monitoring weather conditions across all sites and shifts.
• Reduce the likelihood of weather-related incidents, injuries and near misses through early hazard identification and control.
• Support compliance with WHS duties by linking Bureau of Meteorology information to clear, risk-based actions.
• Improve decision-making around work scheduling, stand-downs and re-starts during severe weather events.
• Enhance communication and coordination between management, supervisors, workers and contractors during changing weather conditions.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Operations Managers
• Event Managers
• Facility Managers
• Mining and Quarry Supervisors
• Agricultural Operations Managers
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• Local Government Works Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during high temperature and heatwave conditions
• Dehydration and fatigue from prolonged work in hot, humid or direct-sun environments
• Lightning strikes to workers, plant and structures during thunderstorms
• Wind-related incidents including falls from height, crane instability and unsecured objects becoming projectiles
• Reduced visibility and vehicle incidents due to heavy rain, fog, dust storms or smoke
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, muddy or flooded surfaces
• Structural and equipment damage from storms, hail and high winds
• Cold stress and hypothermia in alpine or winter conditions
• Health impacts from poor air quality, bushfire smoke and dust exposure
• Access and egress risks due to local flooding or road closures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Weather Thresholds
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Weather Information Sources (BoM and Local Monitoring)
• 5.0 Routine Weather Monitoring Requirements
• 6.0 Weather Risk Assessment and Activity-Specific Triggers
• 7.0 Response Procedures – Heat and Heatwave Conditions
• 8.0 Response Procedures – Thunderstorms, Lightning and Hail
• 9.0 Response Procedures – High Winds and Gusts
• 10.0 Response Procedures – Heavy Rain, Flooding and Poor Visibility
• 11.0 Response Procedures – Air Quality, Dust and Smoke
• 12.0 Communication, Escalation and Stand-Down Decisions
• 13.0 Recommencement of Work After Severe Weather
• 14.0 Integration with SWMS, Emergency Plans and Rostering
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 16.0 Record Keeping, Monitoring and Review
• 17.0 Continuous Improvement and Audit Checklist

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
• 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 environments with elevated noise)
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• AS 3745:2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities
• Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) – Official Warnings, Forecasts and Heatwave Service (as referenced information source)