Heavy rain, storms, and strong winds can leave behind safety risks long after the weather clears.
For many committees, the recovery period is when new safety risks begin to emerge. A fallen branch is easy to spot. Water behind a wall is not. A damaged roof may be obvious. An electrical issue inside a plant room may not be.
While obvious damage often receives immediate attention, less visible hazards can remain on common property for weeks or months after a weather event.
Understanding where these risks are most likely to occur can help committees prioritise inspections and identify issues before they result in injuries, property damage or costly repairs.
Once the skies clear, it’s natural to focus on restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.
However, severe weather can leave behind conditions that increase the risk of slips, trips, falls, electrical incidents, and property damage.
Safe Work Australia identifies storms, wind, rain, lightning, and other extreme weather conditions as hazards that can pose health and safety risks and may require ongoing risk management even after the event has passed.
For committees, this means the recovery period can be just as important as managing the storm itself.
A fallen branch may be visible immediately, but water ingress, structural deterioration, or electrical issues may take longer to become apparent.
Walk the site and consider whether someone carrying groceries, walking a dog, or returning home after dark might encounter a hazard that is not immediately obvious.
Water does not need to cause visible flooding to create health and safety concerns.
Even relatively minor water ingress can contribute to:
Surface deterioration
Timber, flooring materials, and other building elements may weaken over time.
Hidden damage
Water can travel behind walls, beneath flooring, and into building cavities before signs become visible.
Mould growth
Persistent moisture can create conditions that support mould growth if not addressed promptly.
Access issues
Water damage may affect lift lobbies, corridors, storage areas, and other frequently used spaces.
Damage to hazardous materials
Storms and hail may damage hazardous building materials, creating safety risks that may require specialist assessment before repairs can begin.
This can make post-storm inspections particularly important. A problem that appears cosmetic at first may have broader implications if moisture remains present for an extended period.
Electrical infrastructure can be affected by storms, flooding, water ingress, and fallen vegetation.
In some cases, electrical damage is obvious. In others, the warning signs may be more subtle.
Safe Work Australia identifies electrical risks as a significant workplace hazard, particularly where equipment or infrastructure may have been exposed to water.
Water entering electrical areas
Switchboards, plant rooms, and service cupboards may be vulnerable to water ingress.
Damaged lighting
External lighting systems can be impacted by moisture, wind damage or fallen branches.
Exposed cables
Storm activity may leave cables damaged or accessible in common areas.
Electrical faults
Sparking, unusual smells, flickering lights, or equipment failures may indicate a problem requiring attention.
Because electrical hazards are not always visible, caution may be needed even when common property appears undamaged following a weather event.
A visual inspection cannot always identify hidden electrical damage. Specialist advice may be needed where there is uncertainty.
Not all storm damage results in complete failure.
Sometimes a structure remains standing but has become less stable than before.
Damage is not always obvious from the ground. Cracked limbs or compromised trees may pose an ongoing risk.
Strong winds and falling debris can affect structural elements without causing immediate failure.
Components that appear intact may have shifted, loosened, or become unstable.
Debris accumulation, water damage, or displaced materials may create new risks for anyone accessing these areas.
Once contractors arrive on site, the focus naturally shifts to repairs and clean-up. At the same time, new risks may be introduced.
Depending on the work being carried out, common property may experience:
The work itself may be necessary, but committees should recognise that recovery activities can change a property’s risk profile while repairs are underway.
Temporary fencing, equipment, materials, and altered access routes may all create conditions that differ from normal day-to-day operations on the property.
Many serious hazards may arise while damage is being assessed, repaired, or removed.
A structured walkthrough can help identify issues before they are reported by residents or contractors.
Consider reviewing:
Building entrances and walkways
Look for water damage, pooling water, slip hazards, and damaged surfaces.
Stairs and handrails
Check for movement, deterioration, or damage caused by water and debris.
Car parks and driveways
Watch for potholes, surface erosion, damaged lighting, and blocked drainage.
Roofs, gutters, and elevated areas
Look for loose materials, blockages, and signs of water ingress.
Plant rooms and service areas
Check for water intrusion, electrical concerns, and restricted access.
Severe weather can create risks that extend well beyond the initial event.
While obvious damage is often identified quickly, hazards such as water ingress, electrical issues, unstable structures, and deteriorating surfaces can take longer to emerge.
A timely inspection of common property can help committees identify potential problems early, prioritise repairs, and support a safer environment for residents, workers, contractors, and visitors.
Each state may have specific legislation and regulations concerning health and safety duties in owner corporations and body corporates. To help navigate these regulations, Safe Work Australia offers a range of resources and tools to help committees manage hazards and risks. For the latest general WHS updates, guidance, and recommendations, please visit the official Safe Work Australia website at safeworkaustralia.gov.au.
Community Health & Safety customers can access practical resources, reporting tools, and guidance to help identify hazards, manage risks, and monitor common property issues. These resources can support committees in taking a more proactive approach to health and safety throughout the year.
Whether you would like to report a current hazard or flag a near-miss incident, please use this report form to help manage health and safety risks on your common property.
Get an updated committee report of hazards, incidents, and work orders to help track and manage risks on common property.
Contact your strata, body corporate, or owners corporation manager for an up-to-date copy today.
Get an annual site inspection walkthrough of your common property to help spot new hazards and risks that arise over time. Contact your strata, body corporate, or owners corporation manager to organise an annual safety report for your property at a fee.
This guide is created by PICA Services Pty Ltd ABN 70 651 941 114 (PICA Group). Community Health & Safety is a part of the PICA Group. Usage of Community Health & Safety services may be subject to charges. We advise you to fully understand the terms of service or agency agreement and any potential fees associated before utilising this service. While PICA Group has taken every reasonable care in compiling the information in this flyer, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only. PICA Group does not endorse or accept any responsibility for these websites’ content, use, or availability. PICA Group accepts no liability for any loss or damage caused by the use of or reliance on the information contained in this flyer or any links or third-party websites.
This guide has been adapted and derived from Safe Work Australia materials in August 2026 under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0), as listed below. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. (SafeWork Australia). © Commonwealth of Australia.
