Queensland’s resource industry is facing heightened risks of heat stress as above-average temperatures persist into spring, driven by an unseasonal heatwave across much of the state.
The warning comes from the state’s independent regulator of safety and health for the mining, quarrying, petroleum, gas and explosives industries.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures in most regions have been between 2 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius hotter than usual for this time of year, with some areas climbing close to 10 degrees Celsius above average.
The agency has forecast that temperatures from December to February are likely to remain above seasonal norms.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) Chief Executive Officer Rob Djukic said heat posed serious health risks to resource workers and urged sites to ensure they have controls in place to effectively manage heat exposure.
“Symptoms can include a range of progressive conditions such as dehydration, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” he said.
“The strategies and techniques we use to reduce heat stress at resource sites are simple but sometimes overlooked.
“That includes modifying the environment to suit the work, modifying the work to suit the environment, or sometimes a combination of both.”
As temperatures continue to rise ahead of summer, Djukic stressed that conditions on worksites can vary widely and affect individuals differently.
“Employers’ safety and health obligations require them to ensure their workers are not exposed to unacceptable risk – in these hot conditions, that means having a strong workplace heat management plan.”
RSHQ has encouraged sites to adopt measures such as reducing radiant heat sources with insulation or shielding, ensuring potable water and ice are easily accessible, utilising cranes and forklifts to minimise exertion, and planning for periods of acclimatisation.
Other strategies include providing cooled rest areas, installing portable shades with airflow, increasing air movement through fans, rescheduling physically demanding tasks for cooler periods, selecting breathable clothing, training workers on heat safety, incorporating heat factors into incident reporting, and using exhaust ventilation to remove steam in high-humidity processes.
These steps, the regulator says, are critical to preventing serious health outcomes as Queensland’s summer heat approaches.
