Jan 9th 2026 |
WorkSafe calls on employers to safeguard employees from severe heat conditions
What Victorian employers need to do right now
Short answer: plan ahead, adjust shift patterns, supply shade and cold water, service cooling equipment, and train employees to spot early warning signs of heat strain before crews step outside.
WorkSafe Victoria is advising employers to take proactive measures and ensure the safety of their workers as heatwaves and threatening fire conditions impact the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology has released a warning for a severe to extreme heatwave affecting all forecast regions, with anticipated maximums ranging from the low to mid-40s throughout much of the state until Friday.
WorkSafe Acting Chief Health and Safety Officer Adam Watson said work sites need to be prepared to modify job setups so employees avoid significant health and safety hazards.
"Employers have a legal duty to monitor workplace conditions and manage any risk to health and safety, including those created by extreme weather or natural events," Mr Watson said.
"This should include preparing a strategy tailored to each workplace and ensuring workers are educated on how to recognise fire risks and heat-related harm – both in themselves and others."
Equipment checks that reduce heat and fire risk
Reliable equipment does much of the heavy lifting when the mercury climbs. Run a pre-start review across the gear listed below, then log every outcome so supervisors can see what has been verified.
- Hydration equipment – chilled water stations, insulated drink bottles and ice supplies placed within easy reach of each crew.
- Shade equipment – portable canopies, marquees, umbrellas and tinted screens covering outdoor tasks.
- Ventilation equipment – fans, extraction units and evaporative coolers serviced, dust-free and running before shifts begin.
- Monitoring equipment – wet bulb globe meters and humidity gauges that track thermal load across the day.
- Communication equipment – charged two-way radios plus phones, so isolated employees can raise an alarm without delay.
- Fire response equipment – extinguishers, hose reels, blankets and knapsack sprayers tagged, tested and in date.
- First aid equipment – cool packs, electrolyte sachets and a shaded rest zone beside the work front.
- Plant and mechanical equipment – coolant levels, hydraulic seals and guarding inspected, because engines shed extra warmth during extreme heat.
- Lifting equipment – slings, straps and hoses degrade faster under harsh sun, so check them before each lift.
- Sun-safe PPE equipment – wide-brim hats, UV-rated long sleeves, sunglasses, sunscreen and breathable high-vis garments.
Record each equipment check in your pre-start register, then tag out and remove anything defective. Gear failing inspection quickly becomes hazardous once radiant heat and smoke enter the picture, and documenting controls keeps residual risk visible to every supervisor.
Where cooling equipment cannot keep pace with forecast extremes, reschedule strenuous labour into the coolest part of the day. Manual handling under direct sun is hazardous work, so rotate teams, shorten task cycles and build in longer rest breaks.
Warning signs to brief crews on
- Muscle cramps, weakness or unusual fatigue
- Dizziness, headache or blurred vision
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
- Clammy skin, heavy sweating or no sweating at all
- Rapid pulse, slurred speech, confusion or fainting
Anyone showing such symptoms should stop, move into shade, sip water and receive first aid. Phone 000 immediately for collapse, confusion or vomiting, because these point to a medical emergency.
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