The deadly reality of extreme heat on worksites
It's been over a decade since Jenny Newport's life was forever changed by the tragic loss of her son, Glenn, to extreme heat while working on a remote Queensland worksite. Yet, despite her grief and advocacy, she believes little has been done to protect workers from the rising temperatures.
Ms. Newport's hopes for an effective heat policy across the state remain unfulfilled, leaving her with a sense of disbelief and frustration.
"It's unbelievable that the government hasn't taken action or implemented the coroner's recommendations," she said.
Glenn's story is a stark reminder of the dangers workers face as summers get hotter. In 2013, during a three-day heatwave, Glenn traveled from Brisbane to the Western Downs to work on a coal seam gas pipeline construction project. The temperature that day exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, according to the coroner's report.
Glenn, a 38-year-old man, took regular breaks with his crew, but the heat gradually took its toll. He was seen staggering as he walked back to his accommodation, and it was left to his mates to check on him. By evening, he had collapsed in his room, and although he was rushed to the hospital, he died from hyponatraemia, a consequence of working in excessive heat, while in the ambulance.
"If there had been a comprehensive heat policy in place, Glenn might still be with us," Ms. Newport said. "State and federal governments are taking steps to safeguard our country from climate change, but when will we prioritize the safety of our workforce?"
The Need for an Industry-Standard Heat Policy
In Queensland, there is no set maximum temperature for workers, but employers are required to manage heat risks according to the Health and Safety Act. However, the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) standards, negotiated between the CFMEU and the former Queensland Labor government, provided some guidance, allowing workers to stop work at 35C or 29C with 75% humidity.
But here's where it gets controversial: In 2024, the newly-elected LNP government suspended BPIC for new major government projects, leaving workers without a clear heat policy.
Jared Abbott, CFMEU Queensland executive, believes an industry standard heat policy is crucial to protect workers without reducing productivity. "It's not about stopping work; it's about ensuring a duty of care," he said. "A heat policy would drive companies to improve productivity and behavior on site."
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland provides guidance, including an online heat stress calculator, to help businesses assess heat risks. However, experts argue that a "fit for purpose" heat policy is needed across all worksites.
A Graded Approach to Extreme Heat
Professor Ollie Jay, director of the Heat and Health Research Centre at the University of Sydney, advocates for a graded approach to managing extreme heat. "We need to focus on the people in these hot environments, not just the weather," he said.
A year after Glenn Newport's death, the Australian Open faced a similar challenge during a four-day heatwave, with a record number of players pulling out. Professor Jay worked on developing a heat policy for the grand slam, focusing on cooling athletes while performing in extreme temperatures.
The policy measures various factors, including air temperature, humidity, black globe temperature, and wind speed, and uses graded measures to reduce heat stress while maintaining productivity. Professor Jay believes a similar policy could be adopted nationally for workers, especially as the need to protect them from extreme heat becomes more pressing.
"We know it's getting hotter, and we have the research and tools to protect workers. It's time to act on what we already know," Professor Jay said.
So, what do you think? Is an industry-standard heat policy long overdue? Should we be adopting a graded approach to extreme heat on worksites? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
