Flood Storm Clean-up Safe Work Method Statement

Floodwater contains sewage from overwhelmed treatment systems, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, industrial contaminants, animal waste, and pathogenic organisms including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Workers removing saturated materials, extracting standing water, and cleaning flood-affected surfaces contact this Category 3 contamination. Skin contact, ingestion through hand-to-mouth transfer, inhalation of aerosols during pressure washing, and infection through cuts or abrasions creates serious health risks. Contaminated clothing and equipment transfers contamination to vehicles and homes if not properly managed.

Consequence: Gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, leptospirosis, tetanus, skin infections, respiratory infections, chemical exposure effects, and long-term health consequences from pathogen exposure. Infected wounds can progress to sepsis requiring hospitalisation.

Water saturation weakens timber framing members, causes steel corrosion, undermines foundations, and creates additional load from saturated building materials. Ceilings collapse from water-logged plasterboard and insulation. Floors weaken or collapse from moisture damage to joists and bearers. Walls lean or topple from lost structural integrity. Foundation voids develop beneath slabs from soil washout. Workers entering damaged structures before adequate assessment face collapse hazards. Progressive deterioration continues during clean-up operations as drying occurs unevenly.

Consequence: Fatal crushing injuries from structural collapse, serious fractures and head trauma from falling ceiling materials, falls into subfloor voids from floor collapse, and entrapment in collapsed structures preventing rescue and medical treatment.

Floodwater inundates electrical installations including switchboards, power outlets, wiring, and appliances creating electrocution hazards. Water conducts electricity allowing energised components in one area to energise standing water or wet building materials throughout the structure. Damaged cable insulation creates fault conditions. Electrical services may remain partially energised creating unexpected shock hazards. Workers using electric-powered equipment in wet environments compound these risks. Metal tools contacting energised components complete circuits through workers' bodies to earth.

Consequence: Fatal electrocution from contact with energised water or building materials, cardiac arrest, severe burns at contact points and internally along current path, neurological damage, and fatal falls from electric shock whilst working at heights.

Mould growth establishes rapidly in water-damaged buildings within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Saturated gypsum board, insulation, carpets, timber framing, and furnishings support extensive mould colonisation. Removing these materials releases massive airborne spore concentrations. Species including Stachybotrys chartarum produce mycotoxins causing severe respiratory and neurological effects. Additional biological contamination includes bacteria proliferating in damp conditions and dust mites in water-damaged soft furnishings. Workers in enclosed spaces without respiratory protection inhale concentrated spore loads.

Consequence: Acute respiratory distress, development of asthma, allergic responses, chronic sinusitis, persistent cough, mycotoxin exposure effects including neurological symptoms, and long-term respiratory impairment requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Water-saturated materials weigh substantially more than dry equivalents. Wet gypsum board, carpets, insulation, and furniture increase in weight two to five times. Workers lift, carry, and dispose of these heavy loads throughout extended shifts. Awkward access through damaged structures, stairs, and confined spaces compounds manual handling difficulty. Saturated materials are often slippery and difficult to grip securely. The urgency of flood clean-up operations leads to rushed work and inadequate use of mechanical aids. Debris piles create uneven working surfaces increasing slip and trip risks.

Consequence: Lower back injuries, shoulder strains, hernia development, knee injuries from slips and falls, soft tissue injuries from carrying excessive loads, and chronic musculoskeletal disorders from cumulative exposure to heavy manual handling throughout multi-day clean-up operations.

Flood-affected buildings contain standing water, mud deposits, slippery floor coverings, and extensive debris creating slip and trip hazards throughout workspaces. Stairs become extremely hazardous when wet and covered in silt. Floodwater leaves residual contamination including oils and chemicals that reduce traction even after water recedes. Outdoor areas have undermined paving, exposed foundations, and concealed void spaces beneath mud deposits. Poor lighting in power-outage conditions reduces hazard visibility. Workers carrying loads have limited ability to see foot placement or react to slip events.

Consequence: Fractures from falls on hard surfaces, head injuries from impact with structures or ground, lacerations from contact with debris or building materials during falls, injuries complicated by contaminated wound exposure, and drowning risk if workers fall into deep standing water in basements or excavations.

Floodwater mobilises and disperses hazardous substances stored in affected buildings including household chemicals, pesticides, fuels, paints, solvents, and pool chemicals. These materials contaminate floodwater and deposit on surfaces throughout buildings. Workers may not recognise chemical hazards amongst flood debris. Mixed chemical exposures occur when multiple substances combine in floodwater. Some chemicals react producing toxic gases when contacted by floodwater. Containers may be damaged but not empty, releasing contents when handled during clean-up. Asbestos-containing materials in older buildings become wet and friable during floods, releasing fibres when disturbed.

Consequence: Chemical burns from concentrated substance exposure, respiratory damage from toxic fume inhalation, skin sensitisation and chemical dermatitis, acute poisoning from mixed chemical exposures, and long-term health effects including cancer risk from asbestos exposure in damaged older buildings.

Flood clean-up often occurs in summer months when flooding frequency is highest in many Australian regions. Workers wear impermeable protective clothing including coveralls and rubber boots that prevent sweat evaporation and body cooling. Physical demands of debris removal, material handling, and equipment operation in hot conditions create substantial metabolic heat. Work in buildings without functioning air conditioning or ventilation increases heat stress risk. Dehydration develops quickly when working in PPE. Time pressures discourage adequate rest breaks and fluid replacement. Heat stress symptoms impair judgement increasing exposure to other hazards.

Consequence: Heat exhaustion with symptoms including dizziness, nausea, headache, and reduced work capacity. Heat stroke risk with core temperature elevation above 40°C causing confusion, collapse, organ damage, and potential fatal outcome if not rapidly treated. Reduced alertness from heat stress increases vulnerability to other hazards including electrical contact and structural collapse.