BlueSafe
Working in Heat UV and Sun Safety SWMS

Working in Heat UV and Sun Safety SWMS

  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Working in Heat UV and Sun Safety SWMS

Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for Working in Heat, UV and Sun Safety is designed to identify, control and minimise the risks associated with heat exposure, solar radiation and outdoor work in hot conditions, supporting ongoing WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of heat stress management, UV and sun safety for workers performing physical and manual tasks in hot Australian environments.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

  • Maintaining adequate hydration during physical and manual exertion in hot conditions
  • Identification, monitoring and management of dehydration risks for outdoor workers
  • Managing direct sunlight exposure during peak UV periods, including task scheduling
  • Procedures to ensure workers’ hydration levels are regularly checked and maintained
  • Controls for exposure to UV radiation, including shade, rotation and work-rest regimes
  • Risk management of exposure to solar radiation during prolonged outdoor activities
  • Safe work practices for operations in extreme heat conditions and heatwaves
  • Implementation of heat stress precautionary measures and early intervention protocols
  • Maintaining regular hydration through structured drink breaks and provision of cool water
  • Management of sun exposure through PPE, sunscreen, clothing and engineering controls
  • Conducting manual labour under sun exposure with appropriate breaks and supervision
  • Operating safely under hot conditions, including acclimatisation and workload adjustment
  • Performing work under high-heat conditions with monitoring for heat stress symptoms
  • Assessment and control of sun exposure risks for different job roles and tasks
  • General sun exposure management, including worker information, training and signage

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for construction and civil contractors, landscaping and grounds crews, road and rail maintenance teams, utilities and infrastructure workers, agricultural operations, and site supervisors managing workers in hot, outdoor Australian conditions.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Job Step / Activity Potential Hazards
Pre-start planning
  • • Extreme heat condition operations
  • • Exposure to solar radiation
  • • Ultraviolet radiation exposure
  • • Inadequate job planning
Site setup and shade
  • • Direct sunlight exposure
  • • UV radiation exposure
  • • Sun exposure risks
  • • Heat build-up in work areas
Hydration management
  • • Dehydration risks
  • • Inadequate fluid intake
  • • Loss of concentration from heat
  • • Maintaining regular hydration
Sun and UV protection
  • • Exposing to UV radiation
  • • Sun exposure
  • • Ultraviolet radiation exposure
  • • Skin damage and sunburn
Work scheduling and rotation
  • • Operate under hot conditions
  • • Perform under high-heat conditions
  • • Working in scorching summer heat
  • • Heat stress from prolonged exposure
PPE for heat and sun
  • • Inadequate personal protection
  • • Heat build-up under PPE
  • • Reduced visibility from glare
  • • Contact burns from hot PPE
Managing physical exertion
  • • Adequate hydration during physical exertion
  • • Heat stress from overexertion
  • • Increased heart rate and fatigue
  • • Manual labour under sun exposure
Monitoring heat stress
  • • Heat stress precautionary measures
  • • Heat exhaustion
  • • Heat stroke
  • • Loss of consciousness from heat
Vehicle and plant use in heat
  • • Cabin heat build-up
  • • Burns from hot surfaces
  • • Reduced concentration while driving
  • • Tyre failure from high temperatures
Induction and training
  • • Lack of heat awareness
  • • Uninformed sun exposure
  • • Incorrect use of controls
  • • Delayed reporting of symptoms
Remote and isolated hot work
  • • Delayed medical response
  • • Inadequate water supply
  • • Communication failure in heat
  • • Working in scorching summer heat
Review and continuous improvement
  • • Ineffective control measures
  • • Unidentified emerging risks
  • • Complacency about sun exposure
  • • Inaccurate risk ratings

Need to add specific site requirements?

Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on providing a safe work environment, including heat, shade, rest breaks and amenities.
  • Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat: Practical guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling heat-related risks in the workplace.
  • Cancer Council Australia – SunSmart Guidelines for Workplaces: Evidence-based recommendations for UV and solar radiation protection controls.
  • Safe Work Australia – Work-related Heat Stress Information Sheet: Information on recognising, preventing and managing heat stress in workers.
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017

Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
  • Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
  • Possible hazards that may be encountered
  • Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
  • Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
  • Safety measures and guides
  • Operational Safety Checks
  • Before and After Risk Ratings
  • Risk Assessment Matrix
  • High Risk Work Involved
  • Emergency Evacuation Procedure
  • Plant and Equipment
  • Qualifications and Permits
  • Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Company Personnel Sign-off form

$96.8

Safe Work Australia Aligned