Employers Urged to Consider Summer Heat Risks

Safe Work Australia is urging employers to take precautions this summer against the risks of working in heat and/or air pollution, considering the perilous conditions across the country last summer.

Over the 10 years from 2009-10 to 2018-19, there were 1,774 workers’ compensation claims resulting from working in heat.

Of these, 1,679 were from working in the sun, 940 were cancer-related, 441 were claims regarding heat stroke or heat stress, and 95 were from working in hot indoor conditions.

SWA is encouraging PCBUs to access and download its various working in heat resources, found below.

SWA working in heat resources

• Managing the risk of working in heat fact sheet – describes how to identify, assess and control hazards relating to working in heat.
• Working in heat FAQs on our website – addressing the most frequently asked questions relating to working in heat.
• Working in heat infographic – provides a quick reference guide on ways to control risks.
• Checklist for managing the risks of heat in the workplace – provides a list of risks to consider when managing and controlling the risks caused by working in heat.
• Guide for managing the risks of working in heat – provides information on how to manage heat risks and what to do if a worker begins to suffer from a heat-related illness.
• First aid for heat-related illness – provides advice and guidance on providing first aid to someone experiencing a heat-related illness.
• Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation – provides practical guidance for managing health and safety risks associated with exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
• Heat and work injury prevention – a shared responsibility – an expert panel discussing key issues on heat and work injury (video).
• Working in heat – videos demonstrating how four different organisations manage the risks and hazards of illness and injury associated with working in heat.