3 Simple Rules to Make Working in the Harsh Heat Safer for Everyone
We all love our West Australian harsh heat summers
Cold beers by the pool
Crays searing on the barbie
Tranquil sunsets at the beach, in nothing but boardies and bikinis
It’s the best time of year
Here are 3 ways to mitigate risks posed by the harsh Aussie heat this summer:
1. Just Cover it Up
I know… it’s what we all tell the kids, and this has been beaten to death. But honestly, there’s no other preventative measure that’s even close to as effective.
Sunscreen, and the good old “slip slop slap” may be better than nothing.
Yet, it’s far, far from optimal.
Be super careful about the sunscreen you decide to smear over both your own and the little one’s bodies.
Check out this article by 7 news: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/recalls/popular-sunscreen-recalled-after-cancer-causing-substance-is-detected-in-products-c-5059141
We recommend long sleeves and pants (lighter shades are better) I know it’s no fun or stylish, but this is really the only way to fend off Perth’s brutal levels of UV.
2. Be Proactive in Harsh Heat
The body needs to maintain a core temperature of 37°C
When the environment is excessively hot the human system has to work extra hard to achieve this – think about the last time the fan on your mac went into overdrive (after playing literally any game for only 15 mins)
Well, this is essentially your body
- Heatstroke
- Fainting
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Reduced concentration
Are all signs it’s all gotten too much for your internal fan.
To stop this from occurring, we suggest:
- lots (and lots) of water (sub for electrolyte drinks in extreme scenarios)
- Frequent breaks – At least 10 minutes every hour above 32°C (should increase linearly with temperature).
- Rotation of physically demanding tasks
- Perform most strenuous work for cooler parts of the day wherever possible
- Adapt targets and schedule to the environment
3. When in Doubt – Sit It Out
If you feel or notice any of the symptoms noted above, even beginning to take hold. Remove yourself from the job site, seek hydration and a cooler environment (site office, shade ect).
By continuing to work on, despite exhibiting said signs of heatstroke. One does not only risk further personal physical harm. But also puts other workers in the firing line. According to the IPJ (Industrial Psychiatry Journal) up to 45% of workers suffer fatigue on a regular basis.
Extreme temperatures greatly exacerbate this.
Fatigue lowers practically every metric affecting human performance: from reaction times to even capacity to feel empathy – not what you want, especially when operating machinery.
Learn more on inspections and audits here to ensure procedures are effective in the field to prevent risks such as heat get to your workforce.
