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
Access and download our working in heat resources
- Managing the risk of working in heat fact sheet – describes how to identify, assess and control hazards relating to working in heat.
- Working in heat FAQs on our website – addressing the most frequently asked questions relating to working in heat.
- Working in heat infographic – provides a quick reference guide on ways to control risks.
- Checklist for managing the risks of heat in the workplace – provides a list of risks to consider when managing and controlling the risks caused by working in heat.
- Guide for managing the risks of working in heat - provides information on how to manage heat risks and what to do if a worker begins to suffer from a heat-related illness.
- First aid for heat-related illness – provides advice and guidance on providing first aid to someone experiencing a heat-related illness.
- Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation – provides practical guidance for managing health and safety risks associated with exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
- Heat and work injury prevention – a shared responsibility – an expert panel discussing key issues on heat and work injury (video).
- Working in heat - videos demonstrating how four different organisations manage the risks and hazards of illness and injury associated with working in heat.
Access and download our air pollution/bushfire smoke resources
- Bushfire smoke infographic – information about how to prepare for working in bushfire smoke.
- Managing the risks from air pollution: Advice for PCBUs – provides information about managing the WHS risks.
- Working outside webpage – provides information on air quality including working near bushfires.