Working in weather events

Working in extreme weather can pose significant health and safety risks to workers. Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risks at the workplace.

This page outlines steps to identify risks and reduce hazards associated with exposure to extreme weather conditions such as heavy wind or rain (including natural disasters).

Weather can be unpredictable and change quickly. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provides warnings of extreme weather events including:

• storms
• strong winds
• heavy rain
• lightning
• hail
• fog
• natural disasters such as floods and bush fires
• extreme temperatures
• high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (high UV index), and
• smoke, pollen or dust.

Current weather warnings for the ACT can be found on the BOM ACT Warnings Summary page.

Workers who work outside may be at a higher risk of exposure to extreme weather, however these conditions can also impact workers who are indoors.

Extreme weather can also make some existing health issues worse. In particular, pollen allergies and asthma may be worsened during some types of storms. See the Smoke, pollen and dust in the workplace webpage for further information.

In an extreme weather event, workers may rely on the emergency plan to keep them safe. A PCBU must maintain an accurate and up to date emergency plan which must be displayed prominently in the workplace. Workers must be trained in evacuation procedures, with emergency exits clearly displayed. See the Accidents, incidents, first aid and emergency preparedness plans webpage for further information.