Floods

A flood is an overflow of water beyond the normal limits of a watercourse over land that is usually dry. Floods can be caused by:

• water escaping from an inland watercourse, such as a lake or creek
• human action, such as the release of water from a canal or dam
• oceanic impacts, including storm surges and king tides.

Flash flooding can happen after a short burst of heavy rain or a thunderstorm. Rainfall is the main cause of flooding in Australia.

This page is about specific flood risks. Read more about duties and managing risks related to extreme weather.

Flood risks

Workers and workplaces may be affected by flooding. Working during floods can cause exposure to hazards including:

• lightning, hail, wind and water
• damage to transport, power, communications, drinking water and sewerage infrastructure
• damage to seaports and other coastal infrastructure, such as ports, seawalls, boats, homes and businesses
• structural compromise to dam walls
• clean-up dangers, such as asbestos, flooded sewerage, toxic chemicals, bacteria and pollutants.

Exposure to such hazards at the workplace can cause WHS risks, including:

• injury or loss of life
• limited access to emergency services
• infections or illness from contaminated food or water
• secondary emergencies caused by isolation or inaccessibility, including mental health stress.

Everyone at the workplace, including workers, should remain vigilant and be prepared to act. Discuss flood-related risks with workers and consult on any control measures that are in place.

Flood warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology provides flood forecasting and warning services in each Australian state and territory as part of the Total Flood Warning System.

Safety measures

PCBUs should:

• identify which work can be delayed and which requires intervention to control WHS risks, whenever workers work in or travel through places at risk of flood
• keep workers informed of weather and flood information that may impact their work; severe weather and flood warnings; and emergency evacuation orders (visit the Bureau of Meteorology website for flood warnings and updates)
• control electrical risks by turning off power points and unplugging electrical equipment before a flood
• evacuate workers early from at-risk work locations
• instruct workers not to enter flood water, especially in a car
• keep workers inside fully enclosed buildings with grounded electricity and plumbing, and, once inside, away from landline telephones, electrical appliances and plumbing fixtures
• consider whether enclosed metal cars, trucks or vans can provide safety from electrical and other hazards in a lightning storm (workers should roll up the windows and avoid contact with any conducting paths leading to the outside of the vehicle, such as radios and ignition)
• instruct workers not to shelter in unsafe spaces in an electrical storm, such as under trees or in covered picnic shelters, open unenclosed spaces, carports, tents, or soft-top or topless vehicles
• instruct workers to follow emergency plans and procedures.

Flood clean-up

When planning to safely undertake clean-up and recovery work, PCBUs should ensure that:

• electricity clearance has been given before attempting to use the electricity
• any hazardous chemicals or likely asbestos-containing materials are identified
• tools and equipment needed to do the work safely have been identified and checked for working order
• people required to operate the equipment have the right skills, competencies and licences (if required)
• those who will undertake the work are not fatigued
• adequate supervision is provided for less skilled workers (especially volunteers)
• appropriate PPE is available (such as rubber-soled shoes, gloves, hats, sunscreen, sun protective clothing and high visibility vests) and workers know how to use it correctly
• first aid, clean drinking water and hand hygiene measures are available, and there is access to medical treatment in the event of an injury.

Before work commences, everyone involved in a clean-up and recovery activity must be made aware of the potential hazards, risks and proper safety precautions through group briefings or inductions. A briefing or induction should cover:

• directives from relevant authorities (emergency services, health departments and state and local governments)
• personal safety
• tasks to be undertaken
• existing or potential hazards
• safety precautions
• health procedures
• PPE use
• accessing first aid
• reporting health concerns, injuries and illnesses
• emergency procedures.

Workers involved with the clean-up and recovery following floods may be exposed to illness and infection risks from contact with the hazards of contaminated water, soil and mud, hazardous chemicals or asbestos-containing materials.

This should be avoided so far as possible. Consider involving specialists (such as emergency services) rather than workers, and whether the use of machinery can prevent or minimise contact.

PCBUs should attempt to reduce infection risks from flood clean-up and recovery work. Ensure that workers:

• have clean, safe, and accessible facilities that include washing facilities, potable drinking water, eating facilities and toilets
• know where and how to access first aid personnel, facilities and equipment (first aid kits should be easily accessible, secure and located in high-risk areas for quick retrieval)
• have suitable PPE to prevent cuts, scratches, lacerations and infections, including:
  • hearing protective devices, such as earmuffs and ear plugs
  • respiratory protective equipment
  • eye and face protection, such as safety glasses and face shields
  • safety helmets
  • fall arrest harnesses for working at heights
  • skin protection, such as gloves, gauntlets and sunscreen
  • clothing, such as high visibility vests, life jackets and coveralls
  • footwear, such as safety boots and rubber boots.

For more information, see the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2015.

State and territory-specific guidance

• SafeWork NSW – Floods and other natural disasters
• SafeWork NSW – Asbestos – cleaning and/or removing asbestos containing materials after storms and floods
• South Australian State Emergency Service – Prepare for floods
• WorkSafe NT – Planning for severe weather events
• WorkSafe QLD – Storms and floods
• WorkSafe VIC – Floods and other natural disasters
• WorkSafe WA – Clean up after cyclones, storms or floods
• WorkSafe Tasmania – Floods
• WorkSafe ACT – Storms, floods and bushfires