Storm Austen has brought powerful winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, with yellow weather warnings highlighting the risks of travel disruption, power cuts and localised flooding.

With Storm Boelo expected to bring further severe weather over the weekend, employers are being urged to consider how changing conditions could affect worker safety.

For health and safety professionals, severe weather presents a range of risks, from unsafe journeys and hazardous outdoor working conditions to site closures, staff shortages and interruptions to essential services. Effective emergency planning is essential to protecting workers before, during and after a storm.

The health and safety risks of severe weather

The Met Office has forecast wind gusts of 60–70mph across Cornwall and parts of Devon, with stronger gusts possible in exposed locations. Yellow wind warnings also cover much of England and Wales, while heavy rain in parts of Scotland could cause localised flooding.

Strong winds can bring down trees and branches, damage buildings and create hazards around outdoor work areas. Heavy rain and flooding can affect access routes, create slippery surfaces and make some working environments unsafe.

Travel disruption can also affect workers' journeys and leave businesses short-staffed. Employers should consider whether workers can travel safely, whether outdoor activities need to stop and when changing conditions may require a site to close.

Reviewing emergency plans

Robin Blandford, SVP Product at EcoOnline, said Storm Austen demonstrates how quickly disruption can spread through a business.

“A power cut or transport closure can leave a site short of staff, interrupt deliveries and make normal working arrangements unsafe, all at once. An emergency like this rarely creates just one problem so businesses must be ready to coordinate different parts of their response at the same time.”

Employers should ensure their emergency plans clearly establish when work should stop, when travel arrangements need to change and who has authority to make these decisions.

Workers also need clear instructions and a reliable way to stay in contact if normal communication systems fail. Plans should be accessible, understood by those expected to follow them and tested through exercises that help identify gaps before an emergency occurs.

Businesses should also consider the possibility of prolonged disruption or successive storms, particularly where damage, power cuts or transport problems could affect operations for several days.

Safe working during and after a storm

Health and safety teams should review whether existing controls remain suitable as conditions change. This includes considering outdoor work, checking vulnerable areas of a site and communicating any changes to working arrangements.

Once a storm has passed, employers should not assume that conditions are safe simply because the weather has improved. Damaged structures, fallen trees, debris, standing water and affected equipment may continue to pose risks.

Robin Blandford warned that pressure to recover lost time can encourage teams to rush checks or continue using temporary fixes.

“Before work resumes, businesses need to establish what has changed and whether people can respond safely.”

Before restarting activities, employers should assess any damage, check affected work areas and equipment, and ensure workers understand any revised safety procedures.

Building workplace resilience

The government's three-year Be Ready campaign also encourages households in England and Wales to prepare for emergencies, including severe weather and interruptions to power and water supplies.

Its initial checklist recommends keeping a three-day supply of water, non-perishable food and alternative sources of power, such as wind-up radios and charged power banks.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said that taking simple steps to prepare for everyday emergencies could reduce pressure on emergency services, helping them prioritise those who need more support.

For employers, the wider message is the importance of preparation. Reviewing emergency arrangements, keeping workers informed and planning for interruptions to essential services can help organisations respond more effectively when severe weather strikes.

As further disruption is forecast, health and safety professionals have an opportunity to check that their plans are practical, responsibilities are clear and workers' safety remains the priority throughout an emergency and the recovery that follows.

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