Tips to avoid heat stress

As temperatures are forecast to soar over the coming days, SafeWork South Australia reminds workplaces to ensure they have measures in place to cope with the heat.

“Hot weather is a workplace hazard that needs to be considered when planning work activities,” said Bryan Russell, executive director, SafeWork SA.

“Heat stress can afflict workers at outdoor locations such as construction sites, storage yards, tarmacs, roads and farms. It is also important to recognise that heat poses a risk in confined spaces. Temperatures in industrial sheds can exceed 50 degrees, placing workers at risk.

“Working in a hot environment can impair workers’ concentration and judgement, which heightens the chances of other harmful incidents occurring,” Russell said.

Heat stress symptoms include: headaches; fatigue; dizziness or fainting; increased sweating; mood changes such as irritability or confusion; an upset stomach; vomiting.

“Working on through the symptoms of heat stress can lead to serious illness and, in extreme cases, death,” Russell warned.

SafeWork SA recommends the following measures to avoid heat-related risks in the workplace:

• Schedule work so that more physically demanding tasks are done when it’s cooler.
• Rotate workers who have to work in direct sunlight - doing so can help reduce the length of sun exposure for each person.
• Where possible, provide artificial shade such as umbrellas, shade cloth or a sunshade.
• Adequate ventilation - wherever possible, the work environment should be ventilated by the use of fans or other means.
• UV protection - sunblock and wide-brimmed hats should be supplied as part of personal protective equipment.
• Keep well hydrated - South Australian workplace safety laws require that fresh drinking water be provided at all workplaces.