Heat Stress Management Checklist for Professional Services
A checklist for managing heat-related health risks in the workplace, particularly relevant for outdoor work and workplaces without adequate climate control.
Designed to meet professional indemnity requirements, client confidentiality obligations, and industry body reporting standards.
Complete Checklist
- 1Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast and assess the heat risk for the dayCritical
- 2Implement the hot weather work plan if temperature thresholds are exceededCritical
- 3Ensure cool drinking water is readily accessible to all workersCritical
- 4Schedule heavy or strenuous tasks for the cooler parts of the day
- 5Provide shaded rest areas or air-conditioned break spaces
- 6Implement a work-rest schedule appropriate to the heat conditionsCritical
- 7Brief workers on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
- 8Ensure workers are wearing appropriate lightweight and breathable clothing
- 9Provide sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for outdoor workers
- 10Monitor workers for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the shiftCritical
- 11Ensure first aiders are trained in treating heat-related illness
- 12Check that cooling equipment such as fans, misting systems, or portable air conditioners is working
- 13Encourage workers to monitor each other and report any concerns
- 14Consider postponing non-essential outdoor work on extreme heat days
- 15Record all heat management actions taken and any incidents in the daily log
Frequently Asked Questions
Can workers refuse to work in extreme heat conditions?
Under WHS law, workers have the right to cease work if they have a reasonable concern that continuing would expose them to a serious risk to health or safety from an immediate or imminent hazard. Extreme heat can constitute such a hazard. Employers should have a clear hot weather policy so decisions about work cessation are made proactively rather than reactively.
At what temperature should employers activate their heat stress management plan?
There is no single temperature trigger under Australian WHS law as the risk depends on multiple factors including humidity, wind, radiant heat, workload, and PPE requirements. However, most heat management plans activate at 35 degrees Celsius or above for outdoor work. Safe Work Australia recommends using wet bulb globe temperature measurements rather than air temperature alone for a more accurate assessment of heat stress risk.
What are the signs of heat-related illness that supervisors should watch for?
Early signs include excessive sweating, fatigue, thirst, and muscle cramps. More serious symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and hot dry skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency characterised by confusion, loss of consciousness, and very high body temperature. Any worker showing signs of heat illness should stop work immediately, move to a cool area, and receive first aid.
Need help implementing these checks into your daily operations?
Our team can build custom checklists integrated into your daily operations workflow.