skip navigation
Home >  WorkSafe >  Industries >  Construction >  More information >  Working safely in hot weather

Working safely in hot weather

This SafetyLine bulletin provides information for employers and employees about identifying, assessing and controlling hazards associated with working in hot conditions.

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Risk factors
  3. Safe systems of work
  4. Legislation

1. Introduction

As well as ensuring the safety and health of employees, implementing measures to control these risks may benefit an organisation through:

  • reduced accident rates and reduced adverse health effects;
  • higher levels of job satisfaction and reduced absenteeism; and
  • increased efficiency and productivity.

2. Risk factors

The main factors which influence the risk of heat stress are:

  • high air temperature;
  • high humidity, which prevents sweat evaporation;
  • low air movement;
  • exposure to the sun;
  • intense physical activity or high work load; and
  • clothing impairing air movement and sweat evaporation.

All these factors have to be taken into account. A single risk factor, such as air temperature, should not be used in isolation to predict the risk of heat stress.

3. Safe systems of work

Safe systems of work should be set up to prevent heat stress. These can include:

 Work Organisation

  • Reorganise work so that more of the work is done in:
    • cooler parts of the day, for example, early morning; and
    • cooler areas, for example, under cover and shaded areas.
  • Consider split-shift arrangements, for example, have a break from work during the hottest part of the day.
  • Consider reducing physical demands of work, for example, use mechanical assistance.
  • Provide breaks in cooler areas during hot periods.
  • Alternate periods of work in hot conditions with periods of work in cooler conditions.
  • Organise systems for employees to report heat-related discomfort.

Work Environment

  • Work in shaded areas, for example, under permanent cover.
  • Erect temporary cover.
  • Increase air movement, for example, use extraction and ventilation equipment where appropriate.

Cool Drinking Water

  • Provide ready access to cool drinking water.
  • Encourage drinks of 100-200ml of water at frequent intervals to replace fluids lost in sweating.

Suitable Work Clothing

  • Light coloured clothing reflects radiant heat.
  • Loose clothing, where such clothing is not a safety hazard, assists evaporation of sweat.
  • Clothing of loosely woven natural fabrics assists evaporation of sweat. Wide brimmed attachments on helmets to protect from direct sunlight.

Health of Employees

  • Some employees have health conditions which may reduce their tolerance to heat. In such cases, advice from their doctor should be considered by employers.
  • Employers are responsible for providing and maintaining safe systems of work in hot conditions. Employees are required to co-operate in applying these systems.

4. Legislation

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, employers are required to provide, as far as is practicable, a working environment in which employees are not exposed to hazards (Section 19).

Employees are required by the Act to take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health at work (Section 20).

The Act also requires employers and employees to work together to prevent accidents and injuries. When there is a difference of opinion between the employer and employees relating to safety and health, the issue should be resolved as prescribed in the Act.

Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision

Employers have a duty of care, under the Act, to provide information, instruction, training and supervision so that employees are not exposed to hazards. This applies to all aspects of work, including work in a hot environment.

Copies of this publication may be freely printed and distributed provided that WorkSafe Western Australia receives appropriate acknowledgement, and that no substantial changes are made to the text. [WorkSafe Western Australia] Hot-94ab-(95)  

Related information