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Heat Stress

SWMS · SWMS-10129

  • 8 job steps
  • Version 10
  • Miscellaneous
  • Reads on any phone

This SWMS covers the hazards and controls for working in excessively hot environments, such as on roofs and in foundries. Thermal comfort is subjective, but conditions above 26 degrees C with relative humidity higher than 60 percent may cause heat stress that may require controls.

It takes your crew through 8 job steps, from training workers to recognise heat stress and acclimatising them to the heat, to planning, working alone, risk assessment, working in hot and humid conditions and emergency response.

It suits businesses and workers in construction, manufacturing and outdoor maintenance, and supervisors and workers who are regularly exposed to hot environments.

Written by SafetyDocs safety experts, who have been writing safety documents since 2004.

Preview of the Heat Stress SWMS

Heat Stress

SWMSVersion 10
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact and phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
PC address
—
PC phone
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job site address
[Site address]
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work (HRCW)

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW - identified in the Job Task column)

  • Extreme Temperature

Planning and preparation

Planning

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training and licences

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitoring and review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

(add site-specific notes)

Legislation and codes of practice

Australian Government

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011

Codes of practice

  • Work Health and Safety (First Aid in the Workplace) Code of Practice 2015
  • Work Health and Safety (How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks) Code of Practice 2015
  • Work Health and Safety (Managing the Work Environment and Facilities) Code of Practice 2015
  • Work Health and Safety (Construction Work) Code of Practice 2015

Australian Capital Territory

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Codes of practice

  • Work Health and Safety (First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice) Approval 2020
  • Work Health and Safety (How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice) Approval 2025
  • Work Health and Safety (Managing the Work Environment and Facilities) Code of Practice 2025
  • Work Health and Safety (Construction Work Code of Practice) Approval 2025

Queensland

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021

New South Wales

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the workplace code of practice 2020
  • How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2019
  • Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2019
  • Construction work code of practice 2019

Northern Territory

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011

Codes of practice

  • First aid in the workplace – Code of practice 2022
  • How to manage work health and safety risks - Code of practice 2026
  • Managing the work environment and facilities - Code of practice 2026
  • Construction work - code of practice 2026

South Australia

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2012

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the Workplace: Code of practice 2020
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of practice 2020
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of practice 2020
  • Construction work Code of Practice 2024

Tasmania

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the Workplace - Code of practice 2020
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks - Code of practice 2024
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities - Code of practice 2024
  • Construction Work - Code of practice 2024

Western Australia

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2020
  • Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022

Codes of practice

  • First aid in the workplace - Code of Practice 2022
  • How to manage work health and safety risks – Code of practice 2022
  • Managing the work environment and facilities – Code of practice 2022
  • Construction work – Code of practice 2022

Victoria

Acts and regulations

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
  • Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Face Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Sun Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Training

    • Hazard

      • Radiant heat

      • Direct sunlight

      • Hot processes e.g. hot surfaces, welding

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Ensure that workers can recognise heat stress symptoms:

        • Mild heat stress:

          • Tired/weak

          • Muscle cramps

          • Feeling sick or vomiting

        • Severe heat stress:

          • Headache

          • Rapid pulse

          • Profuse sweating

          • Irritability or confusion

          • Blurred vision

        • More severe symptoms can include loss of consciousness

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

7 more job steps, from Acclimatise workers to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

8 job steps

  1. TrainingTrain workers to recognise the symptoms of mild and severe heat stress
  2. Acclimatise workersAcclimatise workers to the heat over 7 to 14 days, with lighter work and more rest
  3. PlanningAssess the heat index and plan shade, shielding, rest breaks and a buddy system
  4. Working aloneAvoid working alone in excessive heat, or set up regular check-ins
  5. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report to the supervisor, check phone reception and complete a JSA
  6. Conduct a risk assessmentAssess the heat stress factors and the heat-related hazards that may cause injury
  7. Working in hot conditionsCheck the weather, wear sun protection and provide shade, cooling and drinking water
  8. Emergency responseMove the worker out of the heat, give cool fluids and call 000 if symptoms do not reduce quickly

Hazards it covers

Legislation and standards it references

Every SWMS comes with our legislation and codes of practice reference list.

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