With clean up and rescue efforts underway in storm-damaged parts of the country, WorkSafe is urging workers to be aware of the risks associated with the aftermath of extreme weather events.
Many areas of the country are grappling with flooding, slips, downed power lines, debris and waterlogged ground.
WorkSafe's Acting Northern Regional Manager Jason Gibson says workers need to be aware of how those changes can affect them.
"For floodwater, silt and debris there's a high risk it's contaminated with things like farm run-off, sewage and chemicals which can make you sick. 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 if workers feel unsafe, they need to speak up.
There are also risks posed by 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," says Jason Gibson.
"The last thing we want is to have incidents and injuries in the aftermath of this serious weather event. We have a lot of guidance available on our website designed to keep people safe and get everyone home in one piece."
