SafeWork NSW urges businesses to plan for summer heat
27 Nov 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW is urging businesses and workers to prepare for summer heat as temperatures climb into the thirties across the state. The regulator is calling for workplace heat management plans developed in consultation with workers and health and safety representatives.
Employers have the primary duty of care for employees. SafeWork NSW is encouraging them to work with health and safety representatives (HSRs) and workers on plans to keep people safe as temperatures rise.
Heat-related illness can occur when the body overheats from working too hard. Conditions can progress through dehydration, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
For outdoor work, employers must do their best to eliminate extended sun exposure. Measures include providing shade, rotating tasks, moving work to cooler parts of the day and supplying personal protective equipment such as hats, long-sleeved shirts and sunscreen.
Australia has the world's highest incidence of skin cancer, with more than 95% of these cancers caused by exposure to solar UV radiation. SafeWork NSW advises outdoor workers to wear appropriate UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed bucket-style hat rather than a baseball-style cap. Workers should also regularly apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen rated SPF 30+ or higher.
Head of SafeWork Trent Curtin called on businesses and workers to discuss how they would prevent heat-related illness. He also reminded workers to pay attention to their bodies and drink plenty of water, warning against replacing water with soft drinks, energy drinks or coffee because these can cause further dehydration.
“If the weather becomes too hot and can’t be avoided then the job might have to be stopped. Worker safety must come first.”
SafeWork NSW's website provides tips for developing a heat management plan, along with the SeasonalSAFE tool. It also offers information about ultraviolet radiation, its risks and ways to prevent exposure.
Workers concerned that their workplace is unsafe can report the issue anonymously to SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or using the ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ app.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas needing attention as you prepare for summer. Take the free WHS self-check