Entering the new year with a fresh pair of eyes when it comes to health and safety on site is a wise way to begin the year. Taking collective responsibility to assess and manage risks as you return to work this summer not only reduces the risk of workplace tragedy but can prevent long-term damage to your business and the people in it.
In summer, the elements add an extra dimension to health and safety considerations in making businesses manage working in heat. The immediate and cumulative effects of heat exposure can prove catastrophic and mitigating these is a key part of health and safety on site, especially at this time of year.
New Zealand is in the unenviable position of leading the world in its melanoma figures, with over 6,000 detected each year, according to Melanoma NZ. Protection from UV is a well-known summer essential. But it isn’t just damaging UV rays businesses need to consider; working in heat can bring many challenges.
Heat puts the body under stress. If people need to work too hard to stay cool, it can cause heat-related illnesses and injuries, which can be fatal if ignored. Outdoor environments during summertime bring obvious risk, but indoor environments with high humidity or radiant heat can be equally taxing.
Regulations require the PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) to make sure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers’ health and safety is not put at risk while carrying out work in extreme heat.
HEAT – A RISKY BUSINESS
Businesses should do a heat risk assessment if:
- workers are uncomfortably hot or sweating while working
- there is high humidity
- workers are exposed to radiant heat (such as direct sunlight or heat-producing plant)
- workers are working in confined spaces during. hot or humid weather
- work is physically demanding
CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK
Eliminating the source of heat is the best option, of course. If elimination is not possible, WorkSafe recommends you consider the following control measures outdoors:
- use mechanical aids to reduce worker effort
- provide protection from the sun if working outdoors
- schedule work for cooler times of the day or year
- rotate workers frequently on tasks
- allow extra rest breaks and provide cool rest
- facilities away from heat and sun
- encourage workers to stay hydrated and make cool drinks available at all times
WorkSafe encourages every workplace in New Zealand to start the year by discussing health and safety and taking positive steps, such as discussing workplace risks with teams, and checking all Personal Protective Equipment including, hearing protection, safety glasses or face shields.
“Starting the year by discussing health safety is part of ensuring that we can all go home safe and healthy at the end of the day.”
