Employers Urged to Protect Workers During Scorcher
TGB partner Mal Byrne has warned employers of their obligation to protect staff during one of South Australia’s hottest days on record.
TGB partner Mal Byrne has warned employers of their obligation to protect staff during one of South Australia’s hottest days on record.
With the temperature set to reach 46 degrees in Adelaide today, Mr Byrne said employees must be provided with a safe working environment.
“This means that by law, an employer must take steps to prevent heat-related injuries,” Mr Byrne, a personal injury law specialist, said.
“Depending on the job this may include increased rest breaks, the provision of adequate shade, protective clothing, sunscreen and plenty of water on hand.
“It may be necessary to adjust work hours to cooler times during the day, or in some circumstances it may be safest to abandon work for the day and stay safe.”
Mr Byrne said the consequences for workers could be dire, if not fatal.
“On a day like today there is certainly the increased risk of serious health issues such dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” he said.
“It should also be noted that some workers may already be fatigued from earlier hot days, so extra precautions must be taken.
“Employers who are not proactive in this area may expose their staff to serious danger and found to be in breach of Occupational Health and Safety laws if an injury was to occur.”
Tindall Gask Bentley is the largest personal injury law firm in South Australia.