WHS Overhaul Needed as Heat Stress Risks Grow

Workers have little recourse when raising safety issues linked to heat, and the government must enact greater oversight of the WHS duty to provide resources for workers exposed to heat, according to a new study.

The University of Technology Sydney study of around 800 workers across industries such as home care, manufacturing, education, agriculture, health, emergency services, hospitality, and logistics contributed to the High Heat and Climate Change at Work report by the UTS Climate Justice Research Centre.

Of that cross-section, many had little or no access to cooling control measures at work and around one-fifth reported being unable to work because of high heat.

United Workers Union Allied Director Godfrey Moase said the workers’ responses outlined in the report were aligned with what workers had been telling the union about the pressure of working in higher temperatures.

“Many of the workers United Workers Union represent are on the frontline of feeling high heats – in hot factories without air conditioning, in commercial kitchens, picking fruit and maintaining utilities outdoors but also in schools without air conditioning in demountable classrooms, or in the homes of those we care for who can’t afford to run electrical appliances,” Moase said.

“Disturbingly, many of these workers felt they had no ability to take action when their safety was compromised as a result of high heat. That’s why the union will definitely be taking heed of the recommendations outlined in the report which, if enacted, will empower and protect workers who undertake measures to protect the health and safety of themselves and their colleagues.”

Report co-author Dr Elizabeth Humphrys said millions of Australian workers were contending with workplace heat to a degree that is unhealthy and unsafe.

“Many workers we spoke with work in environments where they are exposed to the weather, or do not have access to proper ventilation or cooling controls.”

“We know that many workers are also having to work at rates of production which are frankly incompatible with some of the most basic heat management strategies which humans typically use to cool themselves, such as slowing down, having rests and taking breaks to rehydrate.”

“This already difficult situation is becoming tougher as heatwaves increase in intensity, duration and frequency due to climate change.”

“Climate change and high heat is a growing problem for industry as well, and the International Labour Organisation says the impact on labour productivity will get significantly worse in the next few decades.”

Recommendations include:

• The Commonwealth government must abolish restrictions on bargaining content within the industrial relations system, such that it is clear workers have the unambiguous right to bargain around climate change and its impacts in the workplace.
• Employers are already required to provide adequate resourcing for at-risk workers, such as high standard personal protective equipment (PPE), adequate hydration while at work, regular breaks, acclimatisation protocols, and sufficient personnel to ensure workers can be relieved for recovery time in situations where they cannot stop work (such as emergencies). This is not occurring. Greater government oversight and enforcement are needed to ensure compliance.
• Greater resources must be provided to unions and employers to train staff, including health and safety representatives, to ensure workers and employers understand their rights and legal duties in relation to heat stress.
• Governments need to establish clear and accessible occupational health and safety pathways around heat stress and other impacts from climate change, which empower workers to take mitigating action without fear of reprisal.