Working in extreme heat is a widespread hazard, particularly in Australia where many workers are exposed to high temperatures. Working in extreme cold can also be a hazard in University operations. Workers at risk at Flinders University include those working outdoors, in plant-rooms and ceiling spaces, cold rooms, walk-in freezers, workshops and even office buildings in hot weather. Particularly during the summer and winter months, staff working both outdoors and indoors are likely to experience heat/ cold stress unless preventative steps are taken.
Some measures to identify, assess and control extreme heat/ cold related issues include:
- Assessing worksites and reducing heat/ cold stress risk.
- Collecting temperature technical information for accurately measuring working temperature.
- Utilising safe work procedures for working in extreme heat/ cold conditions.
Working in extreme heat/ cold can cause body stress. Short term effects of heat/ cold stress include:
- Increase the possibility of accidents (due to reduced concentration);
- Increase the discomfort of wearing protective equipment (and consequently discourage workers using such);
- Increase harmful effects of other workplace hazards, such as chemical vapours, etc;
- Aggravate pre-existing illness or health conditions;
- Cause heat/cold illness in workers.
Heat illness is the most obvious sign that people are working in excessive heat. It shows up as skin conditions (such as prickly heat), heat exhaustion (collapse or fainting), or as heat cramps. In severe cases, body temperature control systems break down altogether causing a rapid rise in temperature. This is called heat stroke and can be fatal.
Cold illness is the most obvious sign that people are working in excessive cold. It shows up as chilblains, immersion foot and frostbite. In severe cases, body temperature control systems can break down altogether causing a rapid decrease in temperature. This is called hypothermia and can be fatal.
Workplace factors affecting heat/cold stress
Environmental factors include:
- ambient air temperature (may include high altitudes);
- humidity;
- wet weather
- air movement and wind speed;
- radiant heat from the sun and other sources such as ovens;
- cold from walk-in freezers and cold rooms;
- workload (nature of work, duration and location)
- lack of shade or shelter
- processes or equipment producing heat.
Personal factors include:
- type of clothing worn;
- requirement for protective clothing/equipment to be used (remember that respirators reduce breathing efficiency and are actually "tiring" to use);
- manual labour or physical effort required for the job;
- movement of worker in and around workplace (moving from hot to cold environments constantly);
- state of health of the individual (age can also be a factor);
- experience and training of the worker.
For further information on control measures and signs and symptoms of heat or cold related illness or health effects, please refer to the Working in Extreme Heat or Cold Procedures.
Ultra-violet radiation (UVR)
It is recognised that Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world and it is well established that exposure to UVR from the sun is the major cause. Long term exposure to the sun is also associated with damage to the eyes resulting in the development of degenerative changes to the eyes. Skin and eye damage from UVR can be reduced by the adoption of sun protection practices.
UV radiation from the sun:
- damages our skin and increase the risk of skin cancer
- is invisible and cannot be seen or felt (i.e. we cannot rely on our senses or the weather to know when to protect ourselves)
- is not related to temperature but is more related to the sun’s position in the sky (i.e. when the sun is at its highest is also when the UV radiation is at its highest).
- is higher the closer to the equator a person is located.
- can be high even on cool and cloudy days and can pass through clouds.
- can pass through loosely woven material.
- can bounce off of reflective surfaces such as metal, concrete, water and snow.
UV Radiation Personal Protection
- Supervisors are to ensure staff under their direction wear appropriate UVR protection (this is particularly the case for outdoor workers).
- At all times (including cool and overcast days) staff who are working outdoors can protect themselves against UVR by
- Slip on clothes that cover the legs and arms (shirts have collars and long sleeves and wear long trousers or skirts, materials should be closely woven material)
- Slop on SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before heading outdoors and then regularly (Cancer Council SA recommends every 2 hours) to maintain protection (be sure to check the use by date and store out of the heat)
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat or one that protects the head, face, neck or ears (i.e. legionnaire hat where the back flap meets the side of the front visor)
- Seek some shade particularly in the middle part of the day when UV radiation is at its highest (shade should be sought along with using the other measures listed here), and
- Slide on close-fitting sunglasses that wrap around the eyes and do not let light in around the frames. Sunglasses chosen should meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067.
Daily sun protection times for your location can be found at:
Cancer Council SA - Outdoor work and sun protection brochure
Cancer Council SA - Protect your skin from UV radiation brochure
Cancer Council SA - Work outdoors? A3 Poster
Cancer Council SA - SunSmart Workplace Online Learning
Bureau of Meteorology - UV and Sun protection times
Bureau of Meteorology - Average solar ultraviolet (UV) index
ARPANSA - sun protection using shade
