Working in heat

  • Working in heat can be hazardous. Many construction workers are required to work in the open and in the heat, particularly during the warmer months.

The human body needs to maintain a normal temperature to be healthy. Workers may suffer from heat-related illness and fatigue if the body begins to overheat and must work hard to keep cool. 

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PCBU duties

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Worker duties

You must eliminate the risks associated with working in heat so far as is reasonably practicable. If that is not possible, you must minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable. As part of this duty, you must identify hazards and assess and control the risks associated with working in heat.

You must provide first aid for workers who are showing symptoms of a heat-related illness such as heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion. For more information on first aid, click here.

You must also consult workers, any health and safety representatives about WHS and who are or are likely to be directly affected by a health and safety matter.

You must consult, cooperate and coordinate with other relevant duty holders.

Your PCBU has a duty to keep you and your workplace safe from risks associated with working in heat.

You also have a duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others in the workplace including ensuring your acts and omissions don’t adversely affect others health and safety.

Comply with any reasonable instructions, policies and procedure given by your PCBU at the workplace, so far as is reasonably able to.

Risk management

Identifying and assessing hazards

Find out what could go wrong and cause harm. If necessary, think about the harm each hazard could cause, how serious it could be and the likelihood of it happening. 

Controlling risks

PCBUs have a duty to keep workers and the workplace safe from the risks of working in heat. PCBUs must eliminate the risks as far as is reasonably practicable. For example, by cancelling outdoor work when temperatures are high.

If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risks, PCBUs must minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable by implementing the most effective control measures that are reasonably practicable in the circumstances. PCBUs should follow the hierarchy of control measures:

  • Substituting the hazard by something safer e.g. automating physical work, where reasonably practicable.
  • If a risk remains, implement an isolation control e.g. separate workers from heat-producing machinery, where reasonably practicable.
  • If a risk remains, implement an engineering control e.g. providing access to shade, using air conditioners or fans indoors such as in break areas or ensure workers have access to cool, fresh water.
  • If a risk remains, you must implement an administrative control e.g. scheduling more physical work to cooler parts of the day, where reasonably practicable.
  • If any risks remain, personal protective equipment should be provided e.g. breathable and light-weighted clothing.

Reviewing control measures

Review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

For more information

Model Codes of Practice

Other resources

External resources

The Bureau of Meteorology provides forecasts and information for heatwaves in your area of work

  • Did you know

    The WHS regulator in your state or territory can provide practical advice, resources and tools to help you be safe when working in construction. They can also let you know which WHS laws apply to you.