Keep your cool at work

It may be well be summer, but much of Australia has seen record extreme heat in recent weeks, with more set to come. The recent spate of hot weather conditions across much of the country has prompted a warning from Unions NSW.

The organisation is calling on employers to take extra steps and ensure that workers are safe in conditions which have regularly seen the temperature reaching over 40°C across many regions in recent weeks.

Unions NSW Assistant Secretary Emma Maiden said employers and co-workers are encouraged to look out for each other and recognise signs of heat-related illness such as dizziness, weakness collapse or heat stroke.

“Employers are encouraged to take this issue seriously, talk to their workers and implement proper safety plans for hot weather,” Maiden said.

Unions NSW is advising workplaces to follow some simple measures to ensure they stay healthy in the heat:

• More frequent breaks (10 minutes each hour for 30–32 degrees, 20 minutes each hour for 32–34 degrees and 30 minutes each hour for 34–36 degrees).
• Ready access to cool drinking water.
• Air-conditioned break rooms.
• Limiting physical activity (and standing) or rotating to cooler tasks.
• Trying to stay out of the sun.

“Employers need to take the risks from heat seriously,” Maiden said.

“It may be that work needs to stop during excessive heat. Stopping work is recommended at 35 degrees.

“Employers have an obligation to provide a safe workplace. Taking into account the heat of the particular workplace (including radiant heat and humidity) on a hot day like today is essential.

“Trained health and safety reps are encouraged to shut a workplace down if they believe workers are at risk.

“Be cautious. Look for the signs of heat stress on yourself and your work colleagues,” Maiden said.