Secure worksites for the cyclone season
The purpose of this Safety Alert is to remind Top End businesses to secure their worksites for the cyclone season which started on 1 November and extends through to 30 April.
Background
A tropical low (02U) in the Timor Sea is moving steadily towards the Top End. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a moderate chance it will develop into a cyclone on Wednesday 19 November 2025. The forecast increases to high chance of a cyclone forming on Friday 21 this week November 2025.
Action required
NT WorkSafe urges all the Top End Businesses to take immediate measures to prepare for the cyclone season. Businesses should review their emergency plans and should ensure all workers are aware of what action to take in the event of a severe storm or cyclone.
Emergency plans should be clearly written and easy to understand. Where relevant, they should address, but not be limited to:
- Hazards in the workplace
- Responsibility of workers in the event of a severe storm or cyclone
- Briefings for workers
- Securing materials and equipment on worksites
- Safe storage of material unable to be secured
- Protection, dismantling and securing plant
- Security of services (e.g. water, gas main)
- Monitoring forecasts and weather conditions
- Evacuation procedures.
Additional requirements for construction sites
- If possible, remove scaffolding, ladders, shoring and formwork
- all scaffold planks should be secured against uplift during cyclone season
- Protect trenches and excavations either by covering or backfilling
- Brace temporary or unfinished structures
- Secure all construction material to prevent uplift
- Follow manufacturer instructions on securing mobile plant
- Check perimeter fencing is braced and secured, including locking all gates and entry points.
Further information
For further information, please refer to the following:
Safety Alert
Codes of Practice
Websites
Disclaimer
This Safety Alert contains safety information following inquires made by NT WorkSafe about an incident or unsafe practice. The information contained in this Alert does not necessarily include the outcome of NT WorkSafe’s action with respect to an incident. NT WorkSafe does not warrant the information in this Alert is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability for the information in this report or as to its use.