Construction sites are being told to batten down the hatches this week ahead of “destructive gusts” set to sweep the southern states.
On Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for suburbs all across Victoria as winter winds up to 100km/h prepared to strike outdoor job sites.
Starting today, meteorologists even predicted these wild winds will climb as high as 130km/h in the higher parts of the state, bringing with them a cold front that will have tradies rocking trackies to work through to the end of the week.
Tradies parked out in Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Morwell, Traralgon and Moe, in particular, are being told to play it safe on the tools or risk being swept up by the storm.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said strong winds could easily turn unsecured worksite objects like partly complete structures, roof sheets, scaffold planks, temporary fencing and loose tools into “dangerous projectiles”.
“Loose objects must be removed or suitably secured so that they don’t blow away and become a danger to workers and the general public,” he added.
Only last month, severe winds were responsible for almost killing a Sydney woman when three storeys of unsecured scaffolding from a nearby construction site collapsed on her car.
Trapped under the rubble and strewn electrical cords from a nearby power pole, the woman miraculously emerged unscathed and managed to crawl to safety, where she was found by emergency services.
Jenkins said that it was up to employers to keep their workers and the general public safe around sites and encouraged construction bosses to implement control measures and site rules to eliminate the risks.
“Severe weather events, including potentially destructive winds, need to be treated like any other hazard in a workplace,” he said.
“Good housekeeping practices on worksites are essential to ensure materials, tools and machinery are stored properly or tied down so they cannot be picked up and blown around.
“Employers should plan ahead, including by consulting with their workers and health and safety representatives, and prepare a tailored strategy for their individual circumstances.”
Tips for working safely in windy conditions
- Keep the worksite clean and secure and loose objects that could be sent airborne.
- Strengthen structures so they will remain upright during a strong storm.
- Secure any temporary structures (like scaffolding) so they can’t be blown over.
- If possible, can work together until the weather fines up. Maybe leave the heavy crane lifts for another day.
- Outfit all workers working in the wind with eye protection to stop dust and debris.
- Ensure all workers are equipped with appropriate fall protection devices and secure ladders at vulnerable points.
- Take care when handling large, lighter items like site signage, as these are prone to take flight at a moment’s notice.
