Extreme heatwave conditions forecasted for the western Top End

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a forecast for extreme heatwave conditions over parts of the western Top End starting today. The extreme heatwave conditions are expected to continue through the week to include the Tiwi Islands on Wednesday.
Heat related illnesses range from heat rashes, heat cramps and dehydration to heat exhaustion and heat stroke which can be fatal.

Symptoms of heat related illnesses can include:

• Excessive sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting.

Employer responsibility

Employers must ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, workers carrying out work in extremes of heat are able to carry out work, without risk to health and safety.

Employers should:

• Provide information at the start of each shift on the signs or symptoms of heat related illnesses, including the emergency response procedures if a heat related incident occurs
• Consider scheduling the work to avoid the hottest part of the day
• Share the workload between workers so as not to overload any one worker
• Ensure workers have access to cold drinking water
  • Cold water can assist your workers with lowering their core temperature
• Ensure workers have access to and use shade protection (at a minimum a hat and sun screen)
• Check your personal protective equipment is appropriate for the type of work being done and the amount of heat workers are exposed to
• Allow for more rest breaks so your workers can cool down.

In particular, employers should check on new workers to the Territory who may not be acclimatised to the heat.

Worker responsibility

Workers have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety.

Workers should:

• avoid caffeinated drinks, including tea and coffee, as they can make dehydration worse
• maintain a healthy salt intake
• avoid large servings of high-protein meals which raise your body's metabolism and heat, and increase fluid loss.

Additional information

• Working in heat - Information bulletin
• Managing heat stress - Video
• Managing the work environment and facilities - Code of Practice
• Heat stress – Department of Health information
• Heatwave information - SecureNT
• Guide for managing the risks of working in heat – Safe Work Australia
• Heatwave Service for Australia – Bureau of Meteorology