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Working in Wet Weather Rain and Thunderstorms Risk Assessment

Working in Wet Weather Rain and Thunderstorms Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
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Working in Wet Weather Rain and Thunderstorms Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Working in Wet Weather, Rain and Thunderstorms through a structured, management-level Risk Assessment that supports planning, policy, training and systems development. This document helps demonstrate Due Diligence under the WHS Act, minimises organisational exposure to operational liability, and supports robust WHS Risk Management across all weather-affected activities.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • Weather Risk Governance, Policy and Legal Compliance: Assessment of organisational policies, responsibilities and decision-making frameworks for work in wet weather and thunderstorms, including legal exposure and duty of care.
  • Weather Monitoring, Forecasting and Early Warning Systems: Management of meteorological data sources, on-site monitoring, trigger levels and escalation protocols for deteriorating conditions.
  • Planning, Scheduling and Work Authorisation in Inclement Weather: Systems for pre-planning, job scheduling, stop-work criteria, and formal authorisation to commence, modify or suspend operations in adverse weather.
  • Site Design, Layout and Drainage for Wet Weather Conditions: Evaluation of site access, traffic routes, work zones, drainage, bunding and surface selection to minimise water accumulation and instability.
  • Electrical and Lightning Risk Management for Outdoor Operations: Protocols for isolating electrical systems, managing overhead and underground services, lightning exposure, exclusion zones and safe shelter provisions.
  • Plant, Vehicle and Equipment Management in Wet Weather: Controls for equipment selection, inspection, maintenance and operating limits for mobile plant, vehicles and powered tools in wet and low-visibility conditions.
  • Systems for Slips, Trips, Falls and Ground Stability in Wet Conditions: Management of surface treatments, access ways, edge protection, ground stability and controls for working at height during and after rainfall.
  • Worker Competency, Training and Weather Hazard Awareness: Requirements for competency, induction, toolbox talks and refresher training in recognising and responding to wet weather and thunderstorm hazards.
  • Communication, Alarm and Emergency Response in Extreme Weather: Emergency planning for severe weather events, including communication protocols, alarms, evacuation routes, assembly areas and rescue arrangements.
  • Fatigue, Health and Welfare Management in Wet and Cold Conditions: Assessment of exposure limits, thermal comfort, PPE selection, rest breaks, shelter, hydration and health monitoring in adverse weather.
  • Contractor Management and Interface Coordination for Severe Weather: Systems for aligning contractor procedures, roles, and stop-work triggers with principal contractor requirements during wet weather and thunderstorms.
  • Safe Use of Technology and Electronic Devices During Thunderstorms: Management of radios, mobile phones, tablets, drones and other electronic devices in lightning-prone environments and wet conditions.
  • Documentation, Reporting and Continuous Improvement of Weather Controls: Processes for recording weather-related incidents, near misses, corrective actions and periodic review of weather management strategies.
  • Integration with Broader WHS Management System and Other Hazards: Alignment of wet weather controls with existing WHS policies, emergency plans, traffic management, working at heights and environmental management systems.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Operations Managers, Project Managers and Safety Officers responsible for planning, approving and overseeing work activities that may be affected by wet weather, rain and thunderstorms.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. Weather Risk Governance, Policy and Legal Compliance
  • • Absence of a formal wet weather and thunderstorm policy aligned with WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations
  • • Failure to define legal duties of PCBUs, officers, workers and contractors for work in severe and inclement weather
  • • Inadequate consideration of Australian Standards, Codes of Practice and industry guidance on electrical storms and outdoor work
  • • No clear criteria for when to cease, restrict or resume outdoor work during thunderstorms and heavy rain
  • • Lack of governance oversight for weather-related risk management and incident trends
  • • Poor integration of weather risk into the organisation’s WHS management system and risk register
2. Weather Monitoring, Forecasting and Early Warning Systems
  • • Reliance on informal observation rather than structured monitoring of severe weather conditions
  • • No system for monitoring Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warnings for thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail or damaging winds
  • • Failure to detect rapidly changing weather and lightning risk in remote or regional locations
  • • No automated alerting for supervisors and workers when severe weather thresholds are reached
  • • Inconsistent use of technology (e.g. lightning trackers, radar apps) leading to gaps in awareness
3. Planning, Scheduling and Work Authorisation in Inclement Weather
  • • Project programs that do not allow for delays due to severe weather, encouraging unsafe continuation of work
  • • Lack of pre-planning for alternative tasks that can be safely performed during wet weather
  • • Inadequate assessment of seasonal and localised weather patterns during tendering and project planning
  • • No formal work authorisation process for outdoor tasks during unstable or rapidly changing weather
  • • Commercial pressure causing supervisors to override weather-related stop-work decisions
4. Site Design, Layout and Drainage for Wet Weather Conditions
  • • Poor site drainage leading to pooling water, mud, slips, trips and falls during heavy rain
  • • Inadequate access and egress routes that become unsafe or impassable in wet conditions
  • • Location of work areas in low-lying or flood-prone zones without contingency planning
  • • Lack of designated safe shelters for thunderstorms and severe weather events
  • • Insufficient design consideration for safe parking and movement of vehicles and plant in wet and boggy conditions
5. Electrical and Lightning Risk Management for Outdoor Operations
  • • Inadequate system for electrical isolation and protection from water ingress during rainfall
  • • Lack of engineered lightning protection systems where required by risk assessment
  • • Use of portable electrical equipment not rated for wet weather conditions
  • • Failure to control proximity to overhead power lines and conductive structures during thunderstorms
  • • Uncontrolled utilisation of electronic devices during thunderstorms increasing lightning strike risk
6. Plant, Vehicle and Equipment Management in Wet Weather
  • • Lack of plant selection criteria for safe operation on wet, slippery or unstable ground
  • • Inadequate braking and traction performance of vehicles and mobile plant in heavy rain
  • • No system to restrict the use of EWPs, cranes and lifting equipment during thunderstorms or high winds
  • • Absence of wet weather modifications such as mudguards, wipers, demisters and appropriate tyres
  • • Poor maintenance systems leading to failure of safety-critical components in wet conditions
7. Systems for Slips, Trips, Falls and Ground Stability in Wet Conditions
  • • Inadequate systems for managing slippery surfaces, mud and reduced ground friction during rain
  • • Failure to monitor and control ground stability for scaffolds, temporary structures and excavations in prolonged wet weather
  • • Lack of formal process to restrict access to high-risk areas such as slopes, embankments and excavations when saturated
  • • Poor design of pedestrian routes that channel water flow and create trip hazards
  • • Insufficient controls for working at heights when surfaces are wet, windy or exposed to storms
8. Worker Competency, Training and Weather Hazard Awareness
  • • Lack of training on recognising severe weather indicators and lightning risk during outdoor installations
  • • Inadequate competency of supervisors in applying weather-related stop-work criteria
  • • Limited understanding of the health impacts of cold, wind, rain and storm exposure
  • • Failure to communicate changes to weather risk procedures to all workers and contractors
  • • Complacency and underestimation of thunderstorm and flash flooding risks
9. Communication, Alarm and Emergency Response in Extreme Weather
  • • Unclear communication channels for escalating severe weather warnings to the workforce
  • • No standard alarm or notification system for lightning proximity or extreme rain events
  • • Ineffective emergency response planning for weather-related incidents such as lightning strike, structural failure or flooding
  • • Failure of primary communication systems (e.g. mobile networks) during major storms
  • • Lack of clarity in roles, responsibilities and authority during fast-escalating weather emergencies
10. Fatigue, Health and Welfare Management in Wet and Cold Conditions
  • • Inadequate systems to monitor exposure to cold, wind chill and prolonged rain leading to hypothermia and reduced cognitive performance
  • • Poor management of extended shifts due to weather-driven schedule compression or recovery works
  • • Insufficient welfare facilities such as drying areas, warm rest shelters and hot drinks for workers soaked by rain
  • • Health issues exacerbated by damp conditions, including respiratory problems and reduced immune response
  • • Workers continuing in poor weather due to lack of rest breaks and inadequate welfare planning
11. Contractor Management and Interface Coordination for Severe Weather
  • • Contractors operating under inconsistent or inadequate wet weather and thunderstorm procedures
  • • Lack of clarity on who has authority to stop contractor work during storms
  • • Poor coordination of multiple contractors sharing the same site during rapidly changing weather
  • • Subcontractors using non-compliant electrical and temporary works equipment in wet conditions
  • • Inconsistent communication of site-specific severe weather triggers and shelters to all parties
12. Safe Use of Technology and Electronic Devices During Thunderstorms
  • • Uncontrolled use of mobile phones, tablets, laptops and radios in exposed areas during active thunderstorms
  • • Dependence on handheld electronic devices for work guidance in open fields, rooftops or scaffolds during storms
  • • Charging stations and power supplies located in areas susceptible to water ingress and flash flooding
  • • Lack of procedures for safely shutting down and storing sensitive electronic equipment before severe storms
  • • Electromagnetic interference affecting critical control systems during lightning activity
13. Documentation, Reporting and Continuous Improvement of Weather Controls
  • • Incomplete documentation of weather-related risk assessments, decisions and stop-work events
  • • Lack of systematic recording and investigation of incidents and near misses related to inclement weather
  • • Failure to learn from internal and industry weather-related incidents and apply corrective actions
  • • Outdated procedures not reflecting changing climate patterns and more frequent extreme weather
  • • No performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of wet weather and thunderstorm controls
14. Integration with Broader WHS Management System and Other Hazards
  • • Weather risks managed in isolation and not integrated with other critical risk controls (e.g. working at heights, confined spaces, electrical work)
  • • Conflicting procedures between weather controls and other safety systems creating confusion on priority actions
  • • Failure to consider combined effects of severe weather with psychosocial risks, fatigue, traffic and public safety
  • • Inconsistent application of weather-related controls across different sites and business units
  • • Insufficient oversight of how weather risk management interacts with broader emergency, environmental and quality systems

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

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Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on providing a safe work environment, including environmental conditions and weather exposure.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for managing plant and equipment risks, including operation in adverse weather.
  • Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice: Risk management guidance for construction activities, including work in inclement weather and emergency planning.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Controls for electrical safety and working near electrical installations in wet conditions.
  • AS/NZS 3000:2018 – Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules): Requirements for electrical installations, including protection against moisture and adverse environmental conditions.
  • AS/NZS 45001:2018 – Occupational health and safety management systems: Requirements for implementing, maintaining and improving an OH&S management system.
  • AS/NZS 1891 series – Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Guidance for managing fall risks that may be exacerbated by wet and slippery conditions.
  • AS/NZS 1319:1994 – Safety signs for the occupational environment: Requirements for safety signage, including weather-related and emergency information.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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Safe Work Australia Aligned