Staying Safe This Summer

During the warmer months, it is even more important to ensure you and your workers are sun smart. Below is a range of tips from SafeWork SA for maintaining your health and safety at work this summer.

Tips for Employers

Employers have a duty of care to ensure they are not putting their workers’ health and safety at risk. Unless it is specified in workplace employment agreements, the work health and safety legislation does not set temperatures at which a worker may be sent home, nor does it determine acceptable levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure.

Each workplace environment is different, and the onus is on the employer to manage any risks, in consultation with their workers. If it is not possible to eliminate exposure to UVR or increased temperature, the risk of skin damage and heat-related illness must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.

Some practical suggestions for minimising these risks include:

• identify hazards associated with working in the heat and UVR exposure • plan ahead and ensure all practicable measures for preventing heat illness and overexposure to UVR can be implemented • alter work schedules so that work is done on a different day, during cooler times of the day or outside of peak UV times (such as early morning or late afternoon) • provide cool drinking water, which is close to the work area to encourage hydration • ensure all workers are aware of heat stress symptoms

• provide workers with access to shelter, additional rest breaks and encourage people to stay hydrated • create cool down areas

• enable workers to take regular breaks or rotate with others where possible to reduce their exposure to UVR and heat sources • utilise fans, misters and air-conditioners

• move workers away from other heat sources in the workplace

• provide sun protective clothing (such as collared tops, long sleeved shirts and long trousers) and sun protective hats and/or hat attachments (eg broad brimmed), SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen and close fitting sunglasses • encourage workers to keep an eye on each other

Tips for Employees

Workers have a responsibility to contribute to the management of risks and to take care of their own health and should: • follow all reasonable instructions from their employer

• drink enough water to remain hydrated

• check their urine colour as a darker colour can be an indication of dehydration • look after their work colleagues, recognise symptoms of heat related illness and know when to seek medical treatment

• take responsibility for the health of their skin by wearing a broad brimmed hat, sun protective clothing that cover both arms and legs, and close-fitting sunglasses, applying sunscreen and working in the shade where possible • be role models and encourage co-workers to protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation • raise any work health and safety concerns with your employer or Health Safety Representative.