A heatwave is forecast this week and SafeWork NSW is reminding all businesses and workers to prepare for extreme temperatures over the coming days.
Heat-related illnesses from prolonged exposure to hot temperatures and high humidity can be severe, including dehydration, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and, at its most extreme, death.
It can also lead to fatigue, which impairs judgement and increases reaction time, raising the risk of other work health and safety injuries occurring.
Employers’ duty of care to employees includes developing a workplace heat management plan in consultation with their health and safety representatives and workers to ensure everyone stays safe when working in high temperatures.
This plan may include:
- scheduling work to cooler times of the day,
- providing appropriate shade for workers,
- rotating tasks to reduce exposure,
- providing personal protective equipment such as hats, long sleeve shirts and sunscreen.
- easy access to cool water, access to crushed ice for consumption and cooling and
- a buddy system for workers to check in with each other and more frequent and longer rest breaks.
Business owners and workers can access a range of resources to help manage the risks of working in extreme heat. Some tips for developing a heat management plan can be found on the SafeWork NSW webpage.
Information about ultra-violet radiation, the risks and how to prevent exposure can be found on the SafeWork NSW webpage.
Any worker who feels their workplace is unsafe can anonymously report their concerns directly to SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or via the ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ app.
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