Working in extreme conditions can have adverse effects on the health and safety of workers.
Risk factors include:
Air temperature, air movement and humidity
- Level of work activity
- Type of clothing and footwear
- Levels of fluid loss and replacement
- Source of radiating head
Employers are obliged to provide you with a safe and healthy working environment which includes:
- Consult with employees, Health and Safety Representatives and WHS committees
- Provide adequate and appropriate information, training, induction and supervision
- Identify, access and control hazards associated with heat
- Provide an appropriate physical and organisational environment
- Provide healthy and safe workplace and work systems including protection against heat stress
Your rights:
- You have the right to nominate and elect a representative as a HSR who has powers to advocate for OHS issues on your behalf
- Refuse to work if conditions are adversely affecting your health
Your HSR has the power to:
- Seek control of the hazards at their source
- Develop a prevention policy in consultation with workers and management
- Include ‘working in heat’ policies into company policies
- Contact and request for a formal audit to take place by an WHS inspector
- Issue a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN), an official notice to the employers informing them that an WHS issue currently exists and needs to be urgently attended to
- Order work to cease if he/she deems the work will adversely affect workers
Recommended rest breaks for working in seasonal heat
| Duration of paid rest breaks within each hour when temperature reaches and/or exceeds temperature shown | Temperature |
| 10 Minutes | 30-32 degrees Celsius |
| 20 Minutes | 32-34 degrees Celsius |
| 30 Minutes | 34-36 degrees Celsius |
| Cease Work | 36-38 degrees Celsius |
Note – The above is a guide to ensure that our employees are kept safe and well. During hot weather conditions the supervisor should be mindful and aware of the employees well-being and ensure that all practicable precautions are taken to stay out of direct sun light.