NT WorkSafe urges employers to ensure worksites are adequately prepared for the upcoming severe weather season

NT WorkSafe Urges Employers to Ensure Worksites Are Adequately Prepared for the Upcoming Severe Weather Season

NT WorkSafe urges employers to ensure worksites are properly secured due to escalating storm activity during the build-up period. Cyclone season officially begins this week on 1 November, and businesses across the Northern Territory need to act now to protect employees and the public from preventable hazards.

Why Worksite Security Matters Before Severe Weather Hits

According to the workplace safety regulator, multiple near misses have already occurred at inadequately secured worksites. Incidents include steel planks blown off scaffolding and temporary fencing collapsing during thunderstorms — clear signs that current conditions demand stronger safety policies.

NT WorkSafe's WHS Assurance Manager Rob Fereday said it is imperative for businesses to commence tidying up worksites by securing loose items. He particularly called upon the residential construction industry to act promptly, noting that many sites remain unprepared for severe weather despite the approaching season.

Protecting Nearby Homes and Communities

"Given the close proximity some of these worksites are to people's homes, it is vital that worksites are secured to reduce the risk of injury or property damage due to objects becoming airborne and becoming a hazard," Mr Fereday said.

"I again remind residential construction sites that are winding down work for the year to ensure site security to prevent unauthorised access, and to have the principal contractors' contact details displayed in the event of an emergency."

What Employers Should Do Now

Preparing for cyclone season means reviewing safety policies well before storm activity intensifies. Employers should consider the following actions:

• Secure loose materials, scaffolding, and temporary fencing across all active work sites
• Review and update internal safety policies to reflect seasonal severe weather risks
• Display principal contractor contact details clearly for emergency situations
• Restrict unauthorised access to sites winding down for the year
• Inspect sites regularly for developing hazards as conditions change

Robust policies aren't just about compliance — they protect the health and wellbeing of employees, contractors, and nearby residents alike. Employers who treat these policies as a checklist item rather than an ongoing commitment risk repeat incidents once storms arrive.

Building a Culture of Compliance and Safety

Working through a formal risk assessment before cyclone season helps identify hazards specific to each site. This proactive approach to compliance reduces the likelihood of airborne debris, structural failures, and other risks tied to severe weather.

Businesses working in residential construction should treat this period as an opportunity to strengthen their safety culture, not merely tick a regulatory box. Sound policies covering site security, hazard identification, and emergency contact procedures protect both health outcomes and business reputation.

For further guidance on managing risk during seasonal transitions, see our related article on implementing safety measures at worksites ahead of strong winds. Employers in other industries facing seasonal hazards may also find value in how WorkSafe urges farmers to prioritise safety during harvest season.

Businesses looking to formalise their approach to hazard identification can use a digital Job Safety Analysis template to document risks before severe weather season begins. Sites relying on non-powered equipment should also review our SOPs for equipment maintenance to ensure gear is stored and secured correctly.

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