The Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) is warning miners to beware as the coming weeks bring storms and severe heat.
Large swathes of Australia are expecting stormy weather over the next several days, with other areas, particularly in central Australia, bracing for temperatures above 40°C.
Heat is the most frequent cause of weather-related hospitalisations and deaths in Australia. The AIHS is encouraging employers to develop and adhere to a workplace heat management plan.
AIHS chair Cameron Montgomery said it is the obligation of employers to minimise risks, ensuring all workers are protected from dangers posed by extreme heat.
“The impact of heat can range from fatigue and irritability, through to heat-related illnesses including dehydration, heat rash, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke,” Montgomery said.
“Strategies to help keep workers safe include providing shaded areas at work, rotating tasks to limit individual exposure to sun and heat, and scheduling work during the cooler hours of the day.
“Offering gradual acclimatisation to hot environments over days and weeks can help the body adjust, while equipping workers with protective clothing can also help to reduce the impact of heat.”
The International Labour Organization reports almost three quarters of the workforce in Asia and the Pacific are exposed to excessive heat.
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with more than 95 per cent of cases directly linked to solar UV radiation.
“Workers can also help reduce the impact of heat by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and regularly applying water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30+ or higher,” Montgomery said.
“Take breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room when possible and drink plenty of water throughout the day – soft drinks and coffee only add to dehydration.”
For many parts of the country, summer also brings the potential of severe thunderstorms, with the east coast of Australia all the way down to Tasmania expecting a deluge next week.
“Lightning is particularly dangerous for those working near a pool, powerlines, or large trees, so make sure to take shelter in a substantial building if possible,” Montgomery said.
“If you’re regularly on the road for work, ensure you have an emergency kit packed with water, food, a torch, medication, and other essential items. If you’re driving when a storm hits, it’s best to pull over and wait out the bad weather. Heavy rain can lead to poor visibility, slippery roads, and other dangerous driving conditions, and of course, if it’s flooded, forget it.
“Weather-related risks can be monitored and mitigated. Everyone has the right to go to work and return home safely.”
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