As the weather starts to warm up, it’s vital that you know what your rights on days of extreme heat.
Working in extreme heat can have a severe impact on you. It’s important that both you and your employer are taking precautions to keep you safe but ultimately, it is your employer’s legal responsibility to maintain a safe workplace.
Working in Extreme Heat
Under our Work Health and Safety laws, there isn’t a particular temperature or certain UV level where work must stop.
There are more factors than just temperature that can make working in extreme heat dangerous including humidity, air flow, physical intensity and duration of work.
Your employer must consider these factors too – not just temperature – in order to keep workers safe.
If there is a reasonable concern that workers will be exposed to a serious risk, you have the right to stop or refuse to carry out unsafe work regardless of the temperature.
If you feel that you’re being required to undertake unsafe work, you should contact your Health and Safety Rep or the SDA immediately.
Steps your employer can take to keep you safe
Your employer should allow for greater flexibility on-site to minimise the effects of extreme heat. This could include:
- Reducing the rate of work
- Reducing your workload
- Relaxing uniform policies e.g. not requiring you to wear an apron
- Increasing the number of breaks
- Allowing you to keep water at or near your work station
What should I do if the air conditioner isn’t working in my workplace?
If your workplace’s air conditioner isn’t working, you should report it to the SDA immediately as this is a major safety risk.
Your employer has a duty to take all reasonable measures to keep you safe and when it comes to extreme heat, this includes ensuring the air conditioner is functioning.
Signs you may be at imminent risk of heat-related illnesses include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Irritability
- Heavy sweating
- Pale skin