Image: Enrique del Barrio/stock.adobe.com
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a reminder to secure all industrial sites and reconsider outdoor work after a Bureau of Meteorology warning.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for parts of Victoria including Central, East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland, and parts of the South West, North Central, North East and Wimmera.
The BOM expects north-westerly winds with gusts of up to with gusts of up to 100km/h are expected to develop across affected areas from early Tuesday while destructive gusts of up to 130km/h are possible about the Alpine peaks with the arrival of a cold front later on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Morwell, Traralgon and Moe have been highlighted as areas that may also be affected by the forecast.
Sam Jenkin, executive director of health and safety at WorkSafe Victoria, said employers needed to implement control measures for the wild weather.
“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.
“High winds can bring down partially built structures and turn temporary fencing, roof sheets, tools and debris into airborne objects, endangering workers and the general public.
“Employers should plan ahead, including by consulting with their workers and health and safety representatives, and prepare a tailored strategy for their individual circumstances.”
WorkSafe Victoria has highlighted the following advice as potential measures for employers to take:
Keep the worksite clean, securing objects that could become airborne.
Examine and strengthen structures to ensure they will remain standing during strong winds.
Secure scaffolding and other temporary structures so they can’t be blown over.
Where possible, re-schedule work until conditions improve.
Where work proceeds, wear eye protection to stop dust and debris from blowing into the eyes.
Wear fall protection and secure ladders at the top and bottom.
Be careful when handling large flat items, such as signs, as they can act as a sail.
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