Heatwave Alert: SafeWork NSW Urges Strong Controls for Extreme Heat

A significant heatwave is expected across New South Wales this week, and SafeWork NSW is calling on businesses and workers to prepare for sustained high temperatures and humidity. Employers are reminded that they have a legal duty of care to manage heat risks under work health and safety (WHS) laws.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humid conditions can cause serious heat-related illness, including dehydration, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In severe cases, heat stress can be fatal if not identified and managed promptly.

Extreme heat also contributes to fatigue, which can slow reaction times, reduce concentration and impair judgement. This in turn increases the likelihood of incidents such as slips, trips, falls, plant and vehicle accidents, and other WHS incidents in the workplace.

SafeWork NSW is advising employers to develop and implement a workplace heat management plan in consultation with workers and health and safety representatives. This plan should be integrated into the organisation’s WHS management system and clearly documented in relevant policies, procedures and, where applicable, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for high-risk tasks.

An effective heat management plan may include measures such as adjusting work schedules to cooler parts of the day, providing shaded rest areas, ensuring ready access to cool drinking water, rotating tasks to limit exposure, and reviewing PPE requirements to reduce heat load while maintaining safety. Businesses should also provide training so workers can recognise early signs of heat stress and know how to respond.

Businesses that do not yet have a structured WHS management system or formal procedures for managing environmental risks such as heat should consider implementing documented systems and policies. Resources and templates for WHS management systems and policies are available from specialist providers such as Bluesafe, which can help workplaces systematically manage heat and other hazards.

SafeWork NSW provides guidance and practical tools to help duty holders control the risks of working in extreme heat, including advice on planning work, providing rest breaks, and managing vulnerable workers. Additional information on ultraviolet (UV) radiation, associated health risks and prevention strategies is also available on the SafeWork NSW website.

Any worker who believes their workplace is unsafe due to heat or other hazards can report concerns anonymously to SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or using the ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ app. Early reporting and proactive risk management are critical to preventing heat-related illness and ensuring everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.