With the warm summer months fast approaching, it’s vital that employers effectively manage the risks associated with working in heat in order to prevent employees from suffering from heat-related illness. Working in heat can be hazardous and can cause serious harm to employees and any other person in the workplace.

What is heat-related illness?

The human body needs to maintain a body temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius. If the body has to work hard to keep cool or starts to overheat, a worker can suffer from a heat-related illness such as fainting, heat rash, heat cramps and heat stroke. Some common effects of working in heat include:

  • Heat rash – leading to skin irritation and discomfort
  • Heat cramps – a result of heavy sweating without replacing salt and electrolytes
  • Fainting – particularly when a worker stands or rises from a sitting position
  • Dehydration – from increased sweating of workers aren’t drinking enough water
  • Heat stroke – when the body can no longer cool itself, which can be fatal
  • Burns – can occur if a worker comes into contact with hot surfaces, tools or equipment
  • Slips – increased sweat in hot conditions can make surfaces, tools or equipment slippery
  • Reduced concentration – heat can make it difficult to concentrate and lead to confusion

What first steps can I take to reduce the risk of heat-related illness in my workplace?

Heat is a hazard in many workplaces, whether work is performed indoors or outdoors. Employers can consider factors such as air temperature, air flow, humidity, heat sources, work requirements and the workplace in order to identify potential heat-related risks. Once a hazard is identified, a risk assessment can help to determine how severe the risk is, whether existing control measures are effective, what action should be taken to control the risk, and how urgently action needs to be taken.

Important considerations include:

  • Where is the work being done? Is it close to a heat source? Is it outdoors in the sun? Is it in a confined space with minimal airflow? Are there high levels of humidity?
  • What type of work is being done? Does the work involve physical exertion? Does the work require a high pace? Does the work entail complex or difficult tasks to be completed in hot working conditions?
  • What type of clothing is worn? Is PPE required?
  • What about individual employees? Is an employee physically fit and acclimatised to hot working conditions?
  • Are there any other factors to consider? Is an employee susceptible to heat-related illness due to medication, a medical condition or any other circumstance?

What are the symptoms and signs of heat-related illness?

It’s important to monitor employees for symptoms and signs of heat-related illness. Common signs to look out for include tiredness or lethargy, headache, dizziness, feeling faint, muscle cramps, feeling thirsty, urinating less often, pale skin, excess sweating or no sweating, or dark urine.

How do I keep my employees cool in the heat?

Minimising heat-related illness at work is key to providing employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Ensure employees stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding drinks with caffeine such as tea, coffee, certain soft drinks and of course, alcohol. Employees should also eat regular meals and snacks to help replace salt and electrolytes lost through sweating.

Employees need to wear appropriate clothing suitable for the type of work being performed; particularly when working outdoors in the sun, sun smart clothing such as long-sleeved tops, long pants, wide brimmed hats, and sunglasses should be worn in addition to applying waterproof sunscreen regularly.

If working outdoors in the heat, employees should work in the shade where possible or take regular breaks out of the sun to allow the body time to rest and cool down. Likewise when working close to a heat source, in a confined space with minimal airflow or in environments with high levels of humidity.

How do I treat heat-related illness?

If an employee is suspected of suffering from heat-related illness, employers should encourage them to rest in a cool, well-ventilated area, remove excess clothing, drink plenty of water and fluids and a apply a wet cloth or ice pack to the armpits and groin area. If symptoms are severe, always dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance in a medical emergency, or see a doctor for further treatment.

With many workers in Australia exposed to heat-related risk in the workplace, employers need to take effective measures to ensure the health and safety of workers. If you need help developing and implementing policies and processes to prevent heat-related illness in your business, get in touch with our team.

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