Many areas of the country are grappling with flooding, slips, downed power lines, debris and waterlogged ground. 

WorkSafe’s Acting Northern Regional Manager Jason Gibson says workers need to be aware of how those changes can affect them.

“For floodwater, silt and debris there’s a high risk it’s contaminated with things like farm run-off, sewage and chemicals which can make you sick. For workers involved in the clean up, they need to take precautions like wearing appropriate PPE .”

He says there’s also an increased risk of outbreaks of the water-borne disease leptospirosis and if workers feel unsafe, they need to speak up.

There are also risks posed by households without power using portable generators and gas barbeques.

“These should be used in a well-ventilated place so exhaust gases can escape safely – we don’t want people breathing them in,” says Jason Gibson.

“The last thing we want is to have incidents and injuries in the aftermath of this serious weather event. We have a lot of guidance available on our website designed to keep people safe and get everyone home in one piece.”

For more information, see Natural events and emergencies

Some tips for staying safe during the clean up:

• If the work is not necessary, postpone it until conditions improve.
• Always assume that debris, flood water and silt is contaminated and stay away from it, or if you do need to work with it then wear appropriate PPE.
• Minimise the risk of exposure to leptospirosis by washing your hands thoroughly and wearing PPE.
• Never use portable LPG stoves in a confined space and allow good ventilation for generators.
• Even if you know the land very well, waterlogged ground can be very unstable. Ensure you’re using the correct vehicle to move around, especially on farms.
• Make a plan to check in if out on a job, in case you run into trouble.
• If comms are down, have an alternative means of communication.
• Always assume downed power lines are live – stay away from them.
• If you notice things aren’t working when the power comes back on, get an electrician to check it out.
• Ensure fatigue is managed – businesses should monitor how long employees work, the sort of jobs they carry out and the conditions they’re working in.