Feeling the heat? Stay safe and keep cool if you're working outdoors
With summer well and truly in full swing, it’s time to think about the work health and safety risks associated with exposure to extreme heat.
Heat affects everyone differently, so it’s important to make sure the health and safety of workers’ isn’t compromised at work.
Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, said with temps set to rise well above 30 degrees this week, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) have a responsibility to do everything they can to eliminate or minimise the risks associated with working in the heat for their workers.
“PCBU’s have a duty of care to make sure workplaces, both indoor and outdoor workplaces, meet work health and safety requirements, she said.
“Some practical things PCBU’s can do to minimise the risks to workers during extreme heat include: working indoors in a cool space during the middle of the day, arranging access to shelter, shade or air-conditioned spaces, using plant or other equipment to reduce physical labour, and making sure workers have suitable PPE, sun protection and access to drinking water.
“Working in heat is often overlooked or not prioritised as a work health and safety issue, but if the risks aren’t managed properly there’s the potential for serious injury to workers.
“Everyone deserves to work in a safe environment, and workers are encouraged to speak to their supervisor or Health and Safety Representative if they have concerns about working in the heat.”
WorkSafe ACT is committed to protecting the health and safety of all workers in the ACT and conducts compliance and enforcement activities where a PCBU is found to be non-compliant with work health and safety laws.
Media contact
Amy Pedley
02 6205 4074
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