Product Overview

Summary: This Weather Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for managing work in adverse and extreme weather conditions across Australian workplaces. It helps organisations plan, monitor and respond to heat, cold, storms, high winds, bushfire smoke and other weather events, keeping workers safe while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational continuity.

Australian workplaces face a wide range of weather-related risks, from extreme heat waves and UV exposure to sudden storms, high winds, heavy rain, flooding and bushfire smoke. This Weather Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured approach for planning work around changing weather conditions, defining clear trigger points for when work must be modified, suspended or relocated, and outlining how to communicate these decisions to workers and contractors. It is designed to be practical for field-based operations, construction sites, outdoor events, roadworks, agriculture, utilities, mining and any role where workers are exposed to the elements.

The procedure helps businesses translate weather forecasts, warnings and real-time conditions into specific, defensible actions that meet WHS obligations. It addresses common challenges such as managing heat stress, lightning risk, slippery surfaces, reduced visibility, high-wind work at heights, and safe re-start of operations after severe weather. By implementing this SOP, organisations can minimise injuries, manage fatigue and dehydration, protect equipment and temporary structures, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers when severe weather impacts work.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, documented decision-making around when to modify, suspend or resume work in adverse weather.
• Reduce the risk of heat stress, dehydration, slips, trips, falls and other weather-related injuries for outdoor and field-based workers.
• Improve preparedness for storms, high winds and extreme weather events through clear planning, communication and escalation protocols.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and duty of care obligations related to environmental and climatic conditions.
• Support business continuity by providing structured recovery and return-to-work steps after severe weather disruption.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Operations Managers
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Civil and Roadworks Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Agriculture and Horticulture Managers
• Event and Venue Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during high temperature and high humidity conditions
• Dehydration and fatigue associated with prolonged work in hot or humid environments
• UV exposure leading to sunburn and increased skin cancer risk
• Cold stress, hypothermia and reduced dexterity in low temperature or wet conditions
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, muddy or icy surfaces following rain, storms or frost
• Falling objects or structural instability due to high winds or storm activity
• Electrical hazards and lightning strikes during thunderstorms, particularly around elevated work, cranes and plant
• Poor visibility from heavy rain, fog, dust or smoke affecting vehicle and plant operations
• Respiratory irritation and health impacts from bushfire smoke and dust storms
• Flooding, flash flooding and fast-moving water around worksites, excavations and roadworks
• Vehicle incidents on wet, flooded, dusty or low-visibility roads and access tracks

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Weather Categories (Heat, Storms, High Wind, Cold, Smoke, Flooding)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Weather Monitoring and Information Sources (BoM and Local Alerts)
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Planning for Weather-Exposed Work
• 6.0 Heat and UV Safety Controls
• 7.0 Cold, Wet Weather and Storm Safety Controls
• 8.0 High Wind and Elevated Work Requirements
• 9.0 Lightning, Electrical Storm and Outdoor Work Procedures
• 10.0 Bushfire Smoke, Dust and Air Quality Controls
• 11.0 Flooding, Heavy Rain and Ground Stability Management
• 12.0 Work Modification, Suspension and Evacuation Triggers
• 13.0 Communication, Consultation and Worker Training
• 14.0 PPE, Hydration, Shade and Rest Break Requirements
• 15.0 Emergency Response and First Aid for Weather-Related Conditions
• 16.0 Post-Event Inspection, Recovery and Return-to-Work Procedures
• 17.0 Recordkeeping, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• 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 – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat
• Safe Work Australia – Guide on Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (for high-wind and elevated work considerations)
• Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) – Official weather warnings and heatwave service (referenced as a monitoring source)