As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches South East Queensland, forecasted to make landfall between Noosa and the state border as a Category 2 cyclone late Thursday or early Friday, we want to inform you of necessary adjustments to our services and provide guidance to ensure the safety of your construction sites and personnel.
Service Adjustments (from Thursday 6 March):
- Site Inspections and Soil Testing: To prioritise the safety of our field staff, we will pause all site inspections and soil testing on Thursday and Friday this week. We plan to reschedule these services as soon as possible, pending ongoing weather and site access or cleanup needs. We will communicate new appointment times promptly and appreciate your patience during this period.
- Office Operations: Our office-based staff will continue working remotely, however there may be disruptions, so your patience is appreciated. Please use the usual communication channels for any enquiries or support.
Construction Site Safety Recommendations:
To safeguard your sites and personnel, we recommend the following precautions:
- Secure Loose Items: Remove or securely tie down uninstalled materials, rubbish, and equipment that could become projectiles in strong winds. This includes items like roof sheeting, formwork, windows, and skip bins.
- Temporary Structures: Ensure that site fencing is braced according to supplier recommendations and that scaffolding is checked for adequate support, especially considering potential water runoff.
- Masonry Walls: Brace or core-fill concrete masonry walls to enhance stability. Refer to WorkSafe Queensland’s guide on masonry wall safety for detailed instructions.
- Sediment Control: Verify that sediment control measures are in place and that surface water is diverted away from foundations and neighboring properties.
- Utilities: Turn off power, gas, and water supplies to the premises to prevent accidents during the cyclone.
- HIA Guidelines: For a comprehensive site shutdown checklist, see HIA’s Securing a residential building site and building work
After the Cyclone:
- Post-Storm Inspections: If there are concerns about the structural integrity of any buildings, especially if a structural inspection was previously conducted, we recommend a follow-up inspection to confirm safety. Get in touch with us as needed.
- HIA Clean-up Guidelines: Refer to this document for practical information on how to conduct clean-up, demolition or refurbishment work in areas affected by an extreme weather event. Clean-up after cyclones storms and floods
- Weather Updates: Regularly monitor updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and local authorities for the latest information on Cyclone Alfred.
- Emergency Contacts: Ensure all team members have access to emergency contact numbers and are aware of evacuation procedures if necessary.
- Personal Safety: Encourage all staff to prioritise their safety and that of their families during this period.
We are committed to supporting you through this challenging time and will provide further updates as necessary. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require assistance or have any questions.
Stay safe.
