WorkSafe urges businesses to prepare cyclone contingency plans as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa looms

WorkSafe Urges Businesses to Prepare Cyclone Contingency Plans as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa Looms

WorkSafe WA reminds businesses to ensure they have a cyclone contingency plan in place as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa edges towards the N-W coast. Top end businesses across the region are being urged to make all necessary preparations well ahead of possible severe weather impacts.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said it is important that everyone knows what to do when a cyclone hits and how to stay safe throughout the event.

Employer Obligations Under Workplace Safety Laws

"Under workplace safety and health laws, employers must have adequate plans in place and must provide employees with appropriate training to protect everyone in the workplace when a cyclone threatens," Mr Kavanagh said.

These obligations sit at the core of safety compliance across Western Australia, and businesses that fail to plan risk both regulatory penalties and harm to their people. Robust safety practices, including a documented disaster recovery plan, give organisations a structured way to respond when severe weather approaches.

Cyclone Frequency in Northern Australia

"The average number of tropical cyclones per season is nine to eleven, and typically around four will cross the coast," Mr Kavanagh noted. This regularity means industry operators in cyclone-prone zones cannot treat contingency planning as optional; it forms a core part of doing business safely in Australia's north.

What Should a Cyclone Contingency Plan Include?

A sound cyclone contingency plan should cover several critical safety areas, including:

• Clear emergency communication procedures for notifying staff of approaching danger
• Electrical safety checks to isolate power sources before flooding or high winds arrive
• Fire safety measures, since storm damage often increases fire risk from damaged electrical wiring
• Evacuation routes and designated safe shelters for workplace personnel
• Post-event procedures for restoring electrical systems safely once conditions clear

Electrical hazards remain among the most serious risks following a cyclone. Damaged electrical infrastructure can trigger fire outbreaks or expose personnel to electrocution risks, so every contingency plan must address electrical safety as a priority, not an afterthought.

Why Industry Preparedness Matters

Every industry sector, from construction to manufacturing to healthcare, faces unique exposure when cyclones strike. Facilities managing hazardous materials or complex electrical systems face compounded fire and safety risks during extreme weather events, making sector-specific planning essential rather than generic.

Businesses operating in the construction industry should pay particular attention to site security, materials storage and electrical isolation procedures before a cyclone makes landfall. Similarly, sectors relying on volatile substances should reference relevant chemical safety management plans to reduce fire and contamination risks during extreme weather.

Building a Culture of Preparedness

Safety leaders across every industry sector benefit from reviewing plans regularly rather than waiting until a cyclone warning is issued. Just as SafeWork SA urges businesses to prepare for Safe Work Month, WorkSafe WA's message reinforces that ongoing safety diligence, not last-minute reaction, protects people and property most effectively.

Organisations seeking broader guidance can also review how WA businesses are urged to implement cyclone preparedness measures to strengthen existing plans with practical, sector-relevant information.

Read more here.