Heatwaves as a work hazard.

admin • February 4, 2025

When there is a heatwave, it can introduce temperatures which are a new hazard not normally experienced in a workplace. As always, the employer must eliminate or minimise risks as far as reasonably practicable. That means that when conditions change, it’s time to do a risk assessment and put new controls in place.


There is no single ‘stop work’ temperature. Various factors need to be taken into account which include humidity, air flow and the type of work being performed.


Heatwave conditions create a work-related risk in the form of heat stress and fatigue. But there are various ways to control the risk. Things to consider may include:

  • working in the cooler part of the day
  • moving work to a different location
  • limiting tasks which require higher physical effort during the hotter period
  • changing work expectations and allowing workers to self-pace their work
  • ensuring access to cool water - and rehydration electrolytes if required
  • providing shade
  • air conditioning or fans if possible
  • ensuring workers are not working in isolation
  • ensuring supervision is in place
  • taking into account more vulnerable workers - for example those who may be young, pregnant, suffer an illness, etc
  • training workers to ensure they understand the risk and how to recognise symptoms
  • ensure first aid and medical assistance is available


Remember that the risk posed by heat is not just limited to outdoor workers. Indoor workers can be exposed to unsafe working conditions too - including high temperatures, thermal radiation and humidity.


As with all hazards - when considering what control to put in place, the usual hierarchy of control should be used – with elimination being considered first. If this can’t be done, then consider substitution, followed by isolation/ engineering controls, then administrative controls and finally PPE as the last option.

As always, the effectiveness of the controls should be monitored and reviewed.


Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)s can be proactive in this area by consulting with the employer and attempting to resolve the risk. If there is an immediate risk to health and safety, then they can direct a cease work.


HSRs play an important role in ensuring a safe workplace – and this includes during heatwave conditions.


SWMS, HRCW & HSRs

By admin • April 29, 2025
HSRs should be involved when a SWMS is prepared for HRCW. Who doesn’t love an acronym? Let’s start with some definitions... SWMS stands for Safe Work Method Statement. This is a document which must be prepared before any HRCW commences. It sets out how the HRCW is going to be carried out at the workplace. It includes an outline of the hazards involved and what control measures are to be put in place to control the risks. HRCW stands for High Risk Construction Work. It is defined in Regulation 322 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 : In this Part, "high risk construction work" means any of the following construction work— (a) where there is a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres; (b) on telecommunications towers; (c) involving demolition; (d) involving the removal or likely disturbance of asbestos; (e) involving structural alterations that require temporary support to prevent collapse; (f) involving a confined space; (g) involving a trench or shaft if the excavated depth is more than 1·5 metres; (h) involving a tunnel; (i) involving the use of explosives; (j) on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping; (k) on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; (l) on or near energised electrical installations or services; (m) in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere; (n) involving tilt-up or precast concrete; (o) on or adjacent to roadways or railways used by road or rail traffic; (p) at workplaces where there is any movement of powered mobile plant; (q) in an area where there are artificial extremes of temperature; (r) in, over or adjacent to water or other liquids where there is a risk of drowning; (s) involving diving. “Construction Work” means "any work performed in connection with the construction , alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, refurbishment, decommissioning, or demolition of any building or structure , or any similar activity." So, what role can HSRs play when it comes to SWMS? Health and safety representatives play a key role in the safety of their workplaces, including in relation to SWMS: As with all Health and Safety matters, the HSRs can and should be involved if the work affects their designated work group (DWG). As part of their legislated duties, the employer must consult with the employees and their HSRs. The HSR can play and important role in reviewing the SWMS and raising any concerns from their DWG. If conditions change, or if risks are not adequately controlled, then a SWMS must be reviewed. HSR’s are well placed to detect when this is the case and therefore bring this to the attention of their employer. HSRs and their workmates in their DWG are the best people to help in designing and reviewing SWMS, as they are the ones actually doing the work. They will have hands-on knowledge of how the job is done, any relevant site-specific factors, what hazards and risks are present, how best to control them and know if conditions change on-site (eg: weather). HSRs may also be able to help ensure that their co-workers fully understand the SWMS and are ready to go and do their work safely.  After all, the purpose of the SWMS is to ensure that they are safe while they do their work! For further reading, there is some great material on this topic at: Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) | WorkSafe Victoria

Working from home

By admin • April 21, 2025
Working from home has become very common. Sometimes we can be permanently working from home, temporarily or as part of a hybrid arrangement. Even though we are not physically in our usually workplace, our home has now become our workplace and so this means that OHS Laws still apply, and all the legislated duty holders still have the same duties under The Act. The employer still has duties, including to ensure a safe workplace, mitigate OHS risks and to consult with their employees. The employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and to co-operate with safety measure put in place by their employer. The risk management process should still take place, even though you are working in your home environment, and we must seek to identify hazards as a starting point. Common hazards which you may find when you assess your own home work environment could include: Poor lighting Noise Poor temperature control Electrical hazards Psychosocial hazards (eg: job demands, poor role clarity, lack of support, online abuse, bullying, etc) Fatigue Domestic violence Trip and slip hazards Poor ergonomics The individual worker is particularly important in the hazard identification and risk management process in the work from home context. This is because they are often the only person who will be aware of the risks associated with their individual home environment. For more information on this topic, take a look at: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/working-home https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/officewise-working-home