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The weather at work
Extreme weather conditions
The effect of climate and prevailing weather conditions is greater on people who work in primary industries than those whose place of work is largely indoors. It is important to monitor the weather on a daily and sometimes hourly basis and communicate warnings to others where relevant. Extreme weather conditions may affect work tasks and require strategies to prevent harm to staff.
Extreme weather conditions include:
Dealing with extreme weather
Extreme weather can also cause loss and damage to livestock, crops, fodder and property. A number of strategies can be used to minimise or prevent harm.
Livestock
- Provide temporary shade in very hot weather.
- Plant additional shade trees and windbreaks/shelter belts.
- Move stock to higher ground in response to flood warnings.
- Move stock to timbered, less exposed paddocks if extremely cold or snow conditions are forecast.
Crops
- Use glasshouses, igloos, and tunnel or shade houses to maintain suitable temperatures for plants.
- Net fruit crops to reduce hail damage.
- Use fans or sprinkler/spray systems to reduce frost damage.
- Plant windbreaks and shelter belts.
Fodder
- Cover fodder or store it in a shed to keep it dry.
- Move stored fodder to higher ground in response to flood warnings.
Property
- Secure equipment, buildings and materials (eg sheets of iron) before storms arrive.
- Ensure auxiliary power systems are in good working order.
- Lift pumps and irrigation equipment to higher ground in response to flood and flash flood warnings.
- Stockpile supplies in response to flood warnings that may result in the isolation of the property for a period of time.
- Prepare for the bushfire season by conducting careful, authorised hazard reduction burning during the non-fire restriction period.
- Prepare for bushfires by clearing firebreaks, ensuring a good water supply and installing and maintaining fire fighting equipment in a state of readiness.
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