WorkSafe says Hibiscus Coast clean-up crews should treat post-storm work as high-risk and plan ahead.

With clean up and rescue efforts underway in storm-damaged parts of the country, WorkSafe is urging workers to be aware of the risks that can follow extreme weather.

Flooding, slips, downed power lines, debris and waterlogged ground can all change what’s safe, and what’s not.

WorkSafe’s Acting Northern Regional Manager Jason Gibson says floodwater, silt and debris can be contaminated with farm run-off, sewage and chemicals.

“For workers involved in the clean up, they need to take precautions like wearing appropriate PPE.”

He says there’s also an increased risk of outbreaks of the water-borne disease leptospirosis, and workers should speak up if they feel unsafe.

WorkSafe is also warning about households without power using portable generators and gas barbeques.

“These should be used in a well-ventilated place so exhaust gases can escape safely, we don’t want people breathing them in,” Gibson says.

As more recovery work rolls on, WorkSafe’s advice is to slow down, assume conditions have changed, and take basic precautions before the next job.

Tips for staying safe during the clean up:

• If the work is not necessary, postpone it until conditions improve.
• Always assume that debris, flood water and silt is contaminated, stay away from it, or wear appropriate PPE.
• Minimise the risk of exposure to leptospirosis by washing your hands thoroughly and wearing PPE.
• Never use portable LPG stoves in a confined space and allow good ventilation for generators.
• Even if you know the land very well, waterlogged ground can be very unstable. Ensure you’re using the correct vehicle to move around, especially on farms.
• Make a plan to check in if out on a job, in case you run into trouble.
• If comms are down, have an alternative means of communication.
• Always assume downed power lines are live, stay away from them.
• If you notice things aren’t working when the power comes back on, get an electrician to check it out.
• Ensure fatigue is managed, businesses should monitor how long employees work, the sort of jobs they carry out and the conditions they’re working in.

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