Product Overview

This Heat Stress Safety SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and manage the risks associated with working in hot and thermally challenging environments, both indoors and outdoors. It provides detailed, practical controls to support WHS compliance and effective management of heat stress and thermal exposure risks across a wide range of work activities.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Working safely in excessive heat, including identification of environmental and personal risk factors
• Managing work in harsh thermal environments such as boiler rooms, plant rooms, foundries, and process areas
• Controlling risks when working in hot indoor conditions with poor ventilation or radiant heat sources
• Planning work/rest regimes, task rotation, and scheduling high-exertion tasks during cooler periods
• Selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing for hot conditions
• Implementation of hydration protocols, cool-down areas, and access to shade or cooled spaces
• Monitoring of workers for signs and symptoms of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke
• Use of engineering controls such as ventilation, fans, insulation, and shielding from radiant heat
• Safe work procedures for acclimatising new or returning workers to hot work environments
• Emergency response procedures for heat-related illness, including first aid and escalation steps
• Communication, supervision, and training requirements for workers exposed to high heat loads
• Risk assessment and review processes to continually improve heat stress management on site

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for construction contractors, manufacturing and processing facilities, maintenance teams, facility managers, and site supervisors responsible for workers operating in hot or high-heat environments.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat: National guidance on preventing heat-related illness in the workplace
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Framework for identifying, assessing, and controlling WHS risks
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Requirements for temperature, ventilation, and amenities
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on first aid arrangements for heat-related emergencies
• AS/NZS 4501 Occupational protective clothing: Requirements for protective clothing performance and selection
• AS/NZS 1269 Occupational noise management (where combined with hot plant areas): Consideration of combined environmental hazards in hot industrial settings
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017