When is it too hot ... to keep working? Excessive heat is both a health and safety hazard.
Working in hot conditions can result in a number of adverse health effects - ranging from discomfort to serious illness and even death.
Unfortunately, in Victoria there are NO specific statutory or regulatory limits on the temperature to which workers can be exposed.
But that doesn't mean that you can't do anything for your members regarding excessive heat in the workplace - your employer is expected to prevent your workplace being uncomfortably hot.
Your employer has a duty of care under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) to provide a healthy and safe workplace.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 35 - 40°C is considered to be the 'limit of high temperature tolerance' for most people.
If heat has been a problem you have tried to address at the workplace before and the employer has not done anything about it, then: Collect evidence of the problem - talk with your members, do a survey, check temperatures, absences, ask people to fill in Heat - related Incident Investigation Forms (download from the Heat hazard page), etc. Make an appointment to meet with the employer again. Initiate negotiations to control the hazard at source.
Propose that a heat policy be developed in consultation with management and members. Contact your union or a WorkSafe inspector (for information or advice).
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