Failure to protect your employees in our hot summer heat could have you facing serious repercussions...
Welcome to 2017! Summer has kicked off with a bang and as such employers across New Zealand are being warned to put additional measures in place when returning to work as the record-breaking summer continues to threaten employee wellbeing and workplace safety.
As you will all be aware employers have a legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) to identify risk in the workplace and mitigate that risk appropriately. It will come as no surprise that there is a link between heat and fatigue, which leads to potential for more fatigue-related accidents. While the HSWA does not specify extreme temperatures at which staff should stop work for health and safety reasons, employers have a responsibility to remain alert. Recognising the signs of thermal discomfort or stress and raising concerns is important for both businesses and workers to manage health risks that come from working in an environment that is too hot or too cold, It is important to note that a safe working temperature is not determined by air temperature alone – other factors include:
Humidity: the moisture content of the air
Radiant heat: heat emitted from any hot object or surface
Air movement: which may cool the air, or in cold environments may cause a wind chill effect
Physical activity: greater activity increases the generation of heat in the body
Clothing: can aid or prevent heat transfer
The good news is that you aren’t powerless to improve the situation.
Minimising the risk of harm can include isolation and engineering controls such as:
Ventilation and air conditioning
Shielding/Shading
Modifying the process so less heat is needed to carry out task
Reducing the heat created in carrying out a process to the lowest possible level
As a secondary measure, you can also implement further administrative controls such as: Minimising exposure to heat where unnecessary and provide regular and sufficient hydration
Pre-plan jobs to minimise exposure through quick and efficient work, and do non-essential work at times when heat is lowest
Rotate jobs and reconsider working hours when practicable
Provide first aid training to recognise and treat any heat-related disorders
Provide training to understand the effect of fitness, diet, health and life choices (alcohol) on heat stress and risk
Reduce the amount of physical work a person has to do and provide adequate rest periods
Provide suitable and/or protective clothing
Allow workers to acclimatise
Provide appropriate medical assessments.
Disclaimer This article, and any information contained on our website is necessarily brief and general in nature, and should not be substituted for professional advice. You should always seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters addressed.