• Home
    • Workplace Rehabilitation
    • Drug & Alcohol
    • Injury & Claims Management
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Psychology & Counselling Services
    • Work Health Safety
    • Pre-Employment and Drug and Alcohol Screening
    • Medico-Legal Assessments
    • Allied Health
  • Training Services
  • For Businesses
  • For Individuals
  • Schemes
  • News
  • About Us
  • CONTACT US
  • Membership Program
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • Home
    • Workplace Rehabilitation
    • Drug & Alcohol
    • Injury & Claims Management
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Psychology & Counselling Services
    • Work Health Safety
    • Pre-Employment and Drug and Alcohol Screening
    • Medico-Legal Assessments
    • Allied Health
  • Training Services
  • For Businesses
  • For Individuals
  • Schemes
  • News
  • About Us
  • CONTACT US
  • Membership Program
  • TESTIMONIALS
  Mend Services - Making A Difference

NEWS

Stay safe in the heat this summer

6/2/2019

 

Tips for working in the heat

Picture
Plan
  • Look at different options to get to and from work, or a different work location, if public transport could be affected by the weather.
  • Reschedule work so the hot tasks are performed during the cooler part of the day.
  • Provide extra rest breaks in a cool area.
  • Reduce the time spent doing hot tasks (eg. job rotation).
Monitor
  • Monitor the temperature. While there's no maximum temperature set under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, for a worker to stop working - some workplaces may have their own policy around this. Check what your policy is.
  • Regularly check if workers/colleagues are showing signs and symptoms of heat illness (see signs and symptoms below).
Protect
  • Wear hats and light clothing that still provide sun protection.
  • Have cool drinking water close to where you are working.
  • Drink water, even if you aren't thirsty - every 15 minutes.
  • If you're an employer, download the SunSmart Skin cancer and outdoor work guide for more information. 
 Control
  • Use air conditioning and fans to increase air movement.
  • Use shade cloth when working outdoors.
  • Put blinds or curtains down to block out sunlight.
  • Use exhaust ventilation to remove heat or steam from hot equipment.
  • Move hot equipment away from people.

 Signs and symptoms of heat illness

Heat illness occurs when the body can't properly cool itself.
 
The body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather with high humidity, sweating isn't enough.
 
If symptoms occur, workers need to rest in a cool, well ventilated area and drink cool fluids. If symptoms do not improve quickly, or skin is very hot and dry to touch, seek urgent medical help.
 
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Sweaty skin
  • Weakness
  • Cramps
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Fast and weak pulse rate
  
Symptoms of heat stroke
  • Red, hot, dry skin
  • Intense thirst
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • High temperature
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Fainting
 
 For more information, please visit Working in heat on our website or contact WorkSafe's Advisory Service on 1800 136 089.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria 


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed