Hot weather prompts workplace warnings

With temperatures steadily rising, employers are being urged to implement a plan to prevent their workers from succumbing to heat stress and illness.

According to Employsure the current extreme weather conditions can cause serious problems for workers.

“Heat can reduce concentration, judgment and reaction time causing a potential increase in the risk of worker injury. These concerns are particularly relevant for those who work outdoors and in other hot environments such as tradies, building and construction workers, farming workers, postal workers, taxi, bus and truck drivers, manufacturing workers and more,” said Senior Employment Relations Adviser Isabella Zamorano.

“Employers need to be proactive and make plans to protect their workers from the risks of working in the heat. They are required to ensure that workers who are exposed to extreme temperatures can carry out their work without risk to their health and safety.”

According to Zamorano, it is also important to train workers that frequently work in extreme temperatures on how to recognise the symptoms of heat-related illnesses (such as dizziness, general weakness, collapse and heat stroke) and appropriate first aid.

Common heat-related illnesses to watch out for:

• Heat cramps: muscles can cramp as a result of heavy sweating without replacing salt and electrolytes.
• Fainting: can occur when workers stand or rise from a sitting position.
• Dehydration: increased sweating can lead to dehydration if workers aren’t drinking enough water.
• Heat exhaustion: occurs when the body is working too hard to stay cool.
• Heat stroke: occurs when the body can no longer cool itself and can be fatal.
• Burns: can occur if a worker comes into contact with hot surfaces or tools.
• Reduced concentration: when working in heat it is more difficult to concentrate and a worker may become confused. This means workers may be more likely to make mistakes, such as forgetting to guard machinery.
   

Zamorano has provided some practical tips to reduce the risk of heat stress in workplaces.

“Postpone or rescheduling tasks to cooler parts of the day such as early morning or late afternoon and relocate work to cooler areas. Employers should be carefully considering and planning for job rotation and regular rest breaks,” she said.

“It’s also a good idea to ensure workers wear adequate sun protection in all outdoor conditions, providing clean and cool drinking water.”

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