This time last year, parts of Australia were badly affected by extreme heat and bushfires. Working in heat and/or in air pollution can be hazardous and can cause harm to workers in both indoor and outdoor work environments.
Employers must take precautions this summer and know the risks of working in heat and/or air pollution and protect worker health and safety.
Over the 10 years from 2009-10 to 2018-19p, there were 1,774 workers’ compensation claims resulting from working in heat.
- 1,679 of these claims were from working in the sun
- 940 of these claims were cancer-related
- 441 of these were claims regarding heat stroke or heat stress
- 95 of these claims were from working in hot indoor conditions
Access and download our working in heat resources
- Managing the risk of working in heat fact sheet – describes how to identify, assess and control hazards relating to working in heat.
- Working in heat FAQs on our website – addressing the most frequently asked questions relating to working in heat.
- Working in heat infographic – provides a quick reference guide on ways to control risks.
- Checklist for managing the risks of heat in the workplace – provides a list of risks to consider when managing and controlling the risks caused by working in heat.
- Guide for managing the risks of working in heat – provides information on how to manage heat risks and what to do if a worker begins to suffer from a heat-related illness.
- First aid for heat-related illness – provides advice and guidance on providing first aid to someone experiencing a heat-related illness.
- Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation – provides practical guidance for managing health and safety risks associated with exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
- Heat and work injury prevention – a shared responsibility – an expert panel discussing key issues on heat and work injury (video).
- Working in heat – videos demonstrating how four different organisations manage the risks and hazards of illness and injury associated with working in heat.
Contact your WHS regulator for guidelines specific to your jurisdiction.
Access and download our air pollution/bushfire smoke resources
- Bushfire smoke infographic – information about how to prepare for working in bushfire smoke.
- Managing the risks from air pollution: Advice for PCBUs – provides information about managing the WHS risks.
- Working outside webpage – provides information on air quality including working near bushfires.
Contact your WHS regulator for guidelines specific to your jurisdiction.
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