With temperatures set to soar into the high 40’s in Australia’s southern states this week, SafeWork SA has passed on some handy tips on how workplaces can reduce the risk of employee’s suffering from heat-stress related injury.
“It is important to recognise that heat poses a risk in confined spaces. Temperatures in industrial sheds can exceed 50 degrees, placing workers at risk,” said SafeWork SA Executive Director Bryan Russell.
“Working in a hot environment can impair workers’ concentration and judgement, which heightens the chances of other harmful incidents occurring,” Mr Russell said.
Heat stress symptoms include: headaches; fatigue; dizziness or fainting; increased sweating; mood changes such as irritability or confusion, an upset stomach or vomiting.
“Working on through the symptoms of heat stress, can lead to serious illness and in extreme cases, death,” Mr 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.
- Keep well hydrated. South Australian workplace safety laws require that fresh drinking water be provided at all workplaces.
- 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.
For advice on heat-related workplace health and safety issues, contact the SafeWork SA Help Centre at 1300 365 255.
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