[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]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

Safe Work Australia has developed a range of resources for working in heat and for air pollution / bushfires which can be downloaded from their website.

The below infographic is just one of the range of resources available, but this quick reference guide is a quick snapshot on ways to control working in heat risks.

 

 

 

 

Working in Heat infographic 2020 pdf

Other resources which can be downloaded from the Safe Work Australia website include:

• Managing the risk of working in heat fact sheet;
• Checklist for managing the risks of heat in the workplace;
• Guide for managing the risks of working in heat;
• First aid for heat-related illness;
• Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation;
• Heat and work injury prevention;
• Working in heat – videos demonstrating how four different organisations manage the risks and hazards;
• Bushfire smoke infographic – information about how to prepare for working in bushfire smoke;
• Managing the risks from air pollution: Advice for PCBUs; and
• Working outside webpage – provides information on air quality including working near bushfires.

Source: Safe Work Australia, 7 December 2020[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]