Heat Stress and Acclimatisation
Heat Stress Does Not Wait for a Collapse
Heat strain can build before a worker appears seriously unwell. Temperature, humidity, radiant heat, physical effort and protective clothing all add to the load, while new or returning workers may not yet be acclimatised. Good heat management begins before the task: reduce the exposure, make recovery possible and ensure the team responds to early symptoms instead of waiting for someone to collapse.
Controls to confirm
- Assess the expected heat load before work, then reduce exposure through ventilation, shade, cooler scheduling, task rotation, mechanical aids or additional recovery time as appropriate.
- Provide accessible cool drinking water and suitable recovery areas, apply the approved acclimatisation plan for new or returning workers, and account for the extra heat burden of protective clothing and equipment.
- Use trained supervision and a buddy system to recognise and report symptoms early, stop the affected work, move the person to a cooler area and follow the site’s medical and emergency-response procedure without delay.
Today’s action
Before the hottest or most physically demanding task today, confirm the heat controls, recovery arrangements, water access and response to early symptoms with the full work party.
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