Summer heat can create hazards, warns OSH

Wednesday 20 January 1999

Summer heat at work can create hazards as well as unbearable discomfort for workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) has reminded employers.

"OSH branches throughout the country have received many calls from employees sweltering in the summer conditions," said OSH spokesperson Lisa-Marie Richan. "Although not to the same level as last summer, particularly in Auckland which endured the increased pressure of the power crisis, enquiries remain steady."

"Employers are reminded that under the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations, they have a duty to take all practical steps to provide ventilation, the means for controlling humidity that arises from any work process or activity, and the means for controlling atmospheric conditions, including temperature," Ms Richan said.

"OSH would never hesitate to intervene in cases where heat has created hazards in a workplace or made staff so uncomfortable, that it has led to incidences of heat stress and a general impairment of a worker’s health and well-being.

"Staff and employers should also consider practical ways to alleviate heat problems such as relaxing dress codes at work, make sure plenty of fresh water is available and use fans where air conditioning is unavailable or insufficient.

"Most workers are comfortable working between 19-24 degrees Celsius but people can experience thermal discomfort at varying temperatures, making the ‘ideal’ temperature difficult to determine. In addition, factors such as radiant heat, humidity and air movement all affect the overall feeling of comfort.

"The bottom line is that employers must take the issue seriously. There have been many incidences where workers suffering from heat stress are often less likely to complain and are accepting of their conditions," said Ms Richan.

See OSH publications Guidelines for the Management of Work in Extremes of Temperature and What you Need to Know About Temperature in Places of Work for further information