Employers urged to guard against extreme heat this summer

Employers and workers are being urged to be extra vigilant when guarding against the effects of extreme heat this summer. The warning, issued by WorkSafe Western Australia (WorkSafe WA), came in October 2019 after the Bureau of Meteorology forecast above average daytime temperatures across the country until February 2020. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said the warning “goes out not only to outdoor workers, but also to employees that may be exposed to constant high temperatures that can result in heat stress or even heat stroke in indoor workplaces like foundries”.

“Workplace safety laws require employers to ensure that workers are not exposed to hazards and this includes, as far as is practicable, protecting employees from extremes in temperature. The increased sweating caused by heat depletes the body’s fluids and can lead to the symptoms of heat stress — tiredness, irritability, inattention and muscular cramps. These symptoms don’t just cause physical discomfort, they may also increase the risk of workplace injuries by taking a worker’s attention away from the task at hand, and this is a major concern,” Kavanagh said. Workers in extremely hot environments can lose up to a litre of fluid every hour and it is vital they replace it, WorkSafe WA said.

Heat stress can be avoided by drinking cool water at frequent intervals, having rest pauses in a cool place and wearing loose clothes and increasing air circulation to help sweat evaporate. WorkSafe WA also advised employers to reorganise work schedules so outdoor tasks are carried out early in the morning and late in the day to avoid peak temperatures. While onsite, employers and workers should watch for signs of heat stroke, including the cessation of sweating, high body temperature, hot and dry skin and, in some cases, confusion and loss of consciousness.

Those suspected of having heat stroke must be treated immediately: being cooled down as quickly as possible by methods such as soaking clothing in cold water and increasing air movement with fanning until medical help is available. “Apart from the serious medical concerns arising from heat stroke, the effects of extreme or sustained heat can seriously affect a worker’s concentration levels, and the consequences of this can also be very serious,” Kavanagh said. “Guarding against heat stress and heat stroke is part of providing a safe and healthy workplace, and I urge employers to ensure that preventative measures are in place.”

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