Hot weather at work
Your employer has a duty to provide you with a healthy and safe work environment during hot weather.
While your workplace doesn’t have to be below a certain temperature, during hot weather, employers should allow greater flexibility within the workplace to minimise the effects of extreme heat on workers.
Check with your SDA Delegate or HSR to find out if your company has a Heat Policy.
- Dehydration
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Muscle Cramps
- Reduce the rate of work.
- Reduce the workload.
- Find lighter alternative duties.
- Rotate employees working in heat.
- Relax uniform policies e.g. not having to wear a jacket or apron.
- Increase the number of breaks.
- Allow water at or near your work station.
- Shield sources of heat e.g. having blinds/curtains drawn over windows.
- If you’re suffering from heat stress, report it to your manager.
- Where possible try not to work near heat sources e.g. windows, machinery or unshaded outdoor areas.
- Rest in the coolest available place.
- Drink cool (not cold) fluids.
- Check your company’s heat policy.
- Speak to the SDA about your working conditions.