Heat and work injury prevention – a shared responsibility

An experienced panel of work health and safety experts explore key issues on heat and work injury, including: the importance of developing and adhering to preventative strategies for working in heat, identifying hazards, implementing risk-management strategies, and the need for training and awareness across all levels of management. 

About this seminar 

Heat is a hazard that can cause heat-related illness and increase the risk of work-related injury. Preventative strategies are needed for both indoor and outdoor work environments to address the risks working in heat poses for workers, as well as potential losses in productivity. Safe Work Australia and SafeWork SA have been working with researchers at the University of Adelaide, Monash University, University of Western Australia, Queensland University of Technology and SA Health, on a national project focused on preventing work-related injury in hot conditions. Researcher and educator Professor Dino Pisaniello opens the panel discussion with key insights from this research which sets the scene for industry experts to discuss the work-related injury in hot conditions. The panel agree that elimination and safe design should be a priority for decision and policy makers. They also discuss the importance of evidence, strong safety culture, awareness of regulatory policy, and good leadership and engagement from all levels of management. 

Who is this seminar for? 

Policy makers, influencers, subject matter experts, business owners, managers, supervisors, regulators and WHS professionals and representatives. 

About the presenters 

Professor Dino Pisaniello, Director of the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Laboratory, University of Adelaide 

Dino is an experienced researcher and educator who manages Adelaide Exposure Science and OEH Consulting in the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide. He holds fellowships of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Safety Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, and is the immediate past National Secretary for Australia for the International Commission on Occupational Health. 

Facilitator 

Dr Peta Miller, Work Health and Safety Consultant 

Peta has over 35 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors in the work health and safety and workers’ compensation arena. Previously, she was a Director of policy and research teams for nearly 17 years at Safe Work Australia. During this time, she led the development of national policy instruments including the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022. 

Panel 

Mr Chris Ginever, previous Safety, Quality, and Environmental Manager at the Master Builders Association of South Australia 

Chris is a qualified health and safety professional who graduated from the University of South Australia. He has over 20 years of experience working across a broad range of industries including building, mining and quarrying, the maritime industry, local government and as a consultant. 

Mr Martyn Campbell, Executive Director of SafeWork SA 

Martyn is a Safe Work Australia Member and Board member of the University of South Australia Asia Pacific Centre for Work Health and Safety Research. He has a law degree from Northumbria University in the UK, and a Master of Laws and Masters in Occupational health and safety management from the University of Adelaide. Previously, he has worked as a Compliance Consultant, Associate Executive Director of the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman and a Chief Advisor for SafeWork SA. 

Ms Sandra Dann, Director Working Women’s Centre in South Australia Inc. 

Sandra is a member of ‘economic Security 4 Women Inc’, Chair of Heta Incorporated, and co-chair of the Women’s Services Network. Previously, she was manager of the Women’s Information Service. 

Supporting information

Document type
Video and audio
Tag by Topic
Research
Working in heat
Working in weather