Working in hot weather: a review of policies and guidelines to minimise the risk of harm to Australian workers

Introduction Australia has experienced a number of lethal heatwaves, and hot summers are normal for most parts of the country.1 2 However, while there has been a strong research and policy focus to inform and support strategies to minimise harm from hot weather to vulnerable groups at the community level,3 less attention has been paid to the safety of people while they work. Heat-related workplace fatalities have been reported in Australia,4 5 and deaths of people of working age occurred in Victoria during a severe heatwave in 2009.6 A study set in Adelaide found the risk of occupational heat illness during heatwave periods to be approximately seven times higher than during non-heatwave periods, over the years 2001–2010.7 Workers, especially those engaged in heavy physical activity in outdoor or non-temperature-regulated indoor locations, face challenges to...
Source: Injury Prevention - Category: Accident Prevention Authors: Tags: Policy forum Source Type: research