Queensland businesses urged to protect workers as temperatures soar

Queensland Businesses Urged to Protect Workers as Temperatures Soar

Temperatures in parts of Queensland are forecast to reach up to 40 degrees this week, and the State Government reminds workplaces to take measures to protect workers from heat-related risk.

Summary: Queensland's Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace is urging businesses to prioritise worker safety during soaring temperatures. Employers carry a legal obligation to manage heat risk through shade, hydration and adjusted work schedules, particularly during the hottest part of the day.

Employers Have a Legal Duty of Care

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said employers are required by law to protect workers from heat-related illness. This obligation forms part of broader occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements that apply across every Queensland workplace.

"The sizzling Queensland summer is officially here, and the high temperatures in the last couple of days are a timely reminder to look out for your colleagues and staff in the heat," Ms Grace said.

"Every single worker in Queensland has the right to go home to their loved ones at the end of the day, and employers have an obligation to keep them safe."

Heat Poses a Serious Risk to Outdoor Workers

Minister Grace said working outdoors in hot weather is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to death. Businesses in construction, manufacturing and healthcare face heightened risk when staff perform physical tasks during extreme heat, making proactive OHS planning essential.

Practical steps for reducing heat-related risk include:

• Providing shade, avoiding outdoor work during peak sun exposure
• Scheduling demanding tasks outside the hottest part of the day
• Reducing radiant heat sources using insulation, spot cooling
• Ensuring workers have ready access to drinking water
• Monitoring staff for early signs of heat-related illness

These measures support both safety compliance and the wellbeing of your workforce, reducing the likelihood of heat-related incidents on site.

Safety Resources for Queensland Workplaces

Businesses seeking guidance on managing seasonal risk can consult official OHS resources and Safe Work Australia's heat management guidance for further detail on protecting staff during extreme weather events.

For workplaces navigating compliance requirements more broadly, our guide on when a Safe Work Method Statement is required outlines when formal documentation becomes necessary for high-risk tasks, including outdoor work in extreme conditions.

Queensland has also introduced new codes of practice designed to protect workers across various industries, reinforcing the state's commitment to workplace health and safety year-round.

Read the Full Story

Read the full news story here for further news on Minister Grace's comments and the government's ongoing safety campaign.

Similar safety concerns have prompted action elsewhere too — Auckland businesses were recently urged to protect workers during flooding, demonstrating that extreme weather preparedness remains a priority across Australasian workplaces. Queensland employers have also been reminded of new road rules protecting emergency workers, another example of regulatory efforts to reduce risk for people working in challenging conditions.

For businesses operating across the Tasman, SafetyDocs also provides safety documentation templates for New Zealand workplaces, supporting compliance regardless of location.

Stay across the latest workplace safety news and regulatory updates by following official government announcements and industry publications throughout the summer season.