Managing the hazards of working in heat and air pollution

Its that time of year again….

Hot weather and bushfire danger!

Some facts from Safe Work Australia –

This time last year, parts of Australia were badly affected by extreme heat and bushfires. Working in heat and/or in air pollution can be hazardous and can cause harm to workers in both indoor and outdoor work environments.

Over the 10 years from 2009-10 to 2018-19, there were 1,774 workers’ compensation claims resulting from working in heat.

• 1,679 of these claims were from working in the sun
  • 940 of these claims were cancer-related
  • 441 of these were claims regarding heat stroke or heat stress 
• 95 of these claims were from working in hot indoor conditions

There are a whole range of Working in Heat and Air Pollution/Bushfire Smoke resources available for employers and workers to help manage these risks

Stay cool