WorkSafe is urging businesses and organisations operating in weather affected areas to ensure robust procedures are in place to protect workers, as red rain warnings remain in effect across parts of the North Island.
All non-essential outdoor work should be postponed.
Red rain warnings are in place in Northland, Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, and Gisborne.
WorkSafe says businesses should be keeping up to date with advice from the MetService, local Civil Defence and should consider the extra risks posed by flooding, land slips, and fallen power lines and trees.
WorkSafe’s Acting Northern Regional Manager Jason Gibson says risks can be constantly changing in extreme outdoor conditions.
“Emergency response procedures should be under constant review. If workers are out in the adverse weather they should take into consideration the changes in conditions – there needs to be an ongoing dynamic risk assessment.”
He says workers are also at increased risk of driving related incidents during severe weather events, and additional stress where their families may also be affected.
“If the work isn’t essential, workers shouldn’t be going out. And if they do, their safety needs to be a priority.”
WorkSafe has guidance available to support businesses in managing risks associated with working in extreme outdoor conditions:
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