Be safe when working in hot weather

WorkCover NSW is warning workers to take precautions during the coming week with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicting hot weather conditions in NSW.

WorkCover General Manager of Workplace Health and Safety Division John Watson said the Bureau of Meteorology was predicting day-time temperatures may reach the mid-40s during this period.

“Employers and workers, especially those working in heat-related conditions, need to remain vigilant to the risks of working in high temperatures given it is expected to be warmer than average across south-eastern Australia for the next few days,” he said.

“If possible, you should try to reschedule work to cooler times of the day, for example, early mornings or late afternoons.

“If this is not possible, ensure that workers have access to plain drinking water (at least 200 mL every 15-20 min), shaded rest areas and regular rest breaks.

“Heat illness can be fatal. Common symptoms of dangerous heat illness may include nausea, dizziness, general weakness and collapse. If you or your workers are working in a hot environment and have any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical assistance.”

WorkCover NSW and other Australian Work Health & Safety agencies have developed a nationally harmonised fact sheet that can be found on WorkCover’s website at: http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/publications/Pages/Workinginheat.aspx.

“Employers and workers should work in partnership to protect themselves from the effects of working in heat,” Watson said.