Heat stress and sun safety Toolbox Talk
Heat can impair judgement before a person recognises serious illness. Plan work, hydration, shade and acclimatisation, and treat confusion or collapse as an emergency.
Key points
- Plan heavy work for cooler periods and provide shade or cooled rest areas.
- Provide drinking water and encourage regular intake.
- Allow gradual acclimatisation for new or returning workers.
- Use work-rest regimes and buddy checks for symptoms.
- Wear suitable light clothing while preserving required PPE.
- Protect exposed skin with clothing and suitable sunscreen.
- Call 999 for confusion, collapse, seizure or suspected heat stroke and cool the person rapidly.
Do
- Drink regularly before thirst develops.
- Take planned breaks.
- Report headache, cramps, dizziness or nausea.
Don't
- Do not leave an affected person alone.
- Do not remove safety PPE without controlling the hazard.
- Do not push through worsening symptoms.
Questions to ask the group
- Where are water and shade?
- What symptoms require work to stop?
- How is the plan adjusted today?
References: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992