AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACES ON HIGH ALERT AMID EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS
Date: 13/02/25
With February already recording some of the hottest days of the year in some parts of the country, the nation’s peak workplace health and safety body is reminding Australian workplaces that heat isn’t just uncomfortable - it’s a serious safety risk.
The Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) is urging employers and workers to take immediate steps to prevent fatigue, heat stress, and heat-related injuries, particularly as climate change triggers more frequent and severe conditions.
The warning comes as a new international standard is released - the first global guide to address climate change risks through a workplace health and safety lens. The framework provides practical, risk-based guidance to help organisations adapt to evolving climate-related hazards.
AIHS CEO Julia Whitford says the new standard reinforces the institute’s commitment to climate-related workplace safety this year.
“February is often the hottest month of the year, and extreme heat affects everyone from outdoor workers across construction, agriculture, trades and logistics to staff at major events and even elite athletes” Ms Whitford said.
The International Labour Organisation reports more than 70 per cent of global workforces are exposed to excessive heat each year. In Australia, excessive heat was recorded as the most common cause of work-related hospitalisations across almost every state and territory in 2023.
At high-profile summer sporting events, heat conditions must not only be considered for athletes, but also for event crews, security staff, medical teams and officials who often work long hours outdoors.
Scott McMillan, Director of Safety at Melbourne Park and AIHS Member, said sporting events offer a real example of how workplaces can adapt under extreme heat.
“During heat spikes, operations change completely - schedules are adjusted, hydration breaks are increased, and staff are monitored carefully,” Mr McMillan said.
“While everyone notices when athletes call time due to heatwave conditions, at Melbourne Park we make sure our entire event workforce is safe throughout the summer event calendar.”
AIHS recommends the following actions:
- Embed climate risks in all WHS policies and risk assessments
- Adjust shifts, workloads and hydration breaks to protect workers in heat
- Provide shade, cooling, ventilation, and climate-ready PPE; upgrade equipment and facilities
- Monitor heat daily and pause or modify work when unsafe, especially for vulnerable staff
- Train leaders to identify heat stress and fatigue and ensure access to mental health and support service
“From elite athletes at major sporting events to construction crews on worksites everyone deserves to go to work and return home safely - even on the hottest days of the year.”
AIHS offers practical guidance through its online learning programs, including resources on fatigue management, heat illness prevention, and climate-related safety risks, all aligned with the latest AIHS Position Statement on Climate Change and WHS.
Media Enquiries:
AIHS Contact: Rebecca Turnbull
Tel: (03) 8336 1995
Email: [email protected]
About the AIHS: With a 77-year history, the Australian Institute of Health & Safety is Australia’s national association for the health and safety profession, with a vision for safe and healthy people in productive workplaces and communities.