Stay safe in the Queensland heat
As summer draws to a close, Queensland continues to experience hot conditions, making it essential to keep heat safety a priority.
It’s important to remember that heat stress risk isn’t only affected by environmental conditions, the type of work being undertaken and individual risk factors of the workers also play a big part. To safeguard your team at work, adopt a proactive approach to managing heat stress. This can include developing a heat management plan with risk assessments, clear communication, training and practical controls.
Encourage a culture of care by checking in with workers regularly and ensuring everyone knows how to recognise and respond to heat-related symptoms, and what to do in an emergency.
Businesses have an obligation to manage risks associated with heat exposure. Heat stress can lead to serious health issues such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even more serious consequences. Beyond compliance, protecting your workers from heat stress helps maintain productivity and morale.
Actions you can take now
- Identify heat-stress hazards (and assess conditions as they change) using the Heat stress calculator
- Where heat stress hazards are identified, provide information and training to workers so they:
- understand the risks
- recognise signs and symptoms of illness in themselves and others
- know what controls are in place and how they work, and
- know what to do if something goes wrong.
- Provide workers with access to suitable amenities including cool, portable water (close to where work is being undertaken) and a cool rest area (shaded or air conditioned).
- Ensure first aid procedures and equipment are suitable and accessible to treat heat-related illnesses. See the ANZCOR first aid Guideline 9.3.4 – Heat Induced Illness (Hyperthermia) for more information.
- Make sure suitable emergency procedures are in place to quickly respond to serious heat-related incidents or illnesses.
- Where possible, adjust work schedules and plan strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day and allow workers to self-pace and take regular breaks as needed.