Union construction workers in Sydney can put down their tools and walk off the job on Tuesday as a scorching heatwave sweeps across the country.
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says its members are within their rights to stop working when the temperature reaches 35C.
‘Once the temperature reaches 35 degrees or a humidity level above 75 per cent, there will be an orderly cessation of work and preparations for safe completions of critical tasks currently underway,’ the CFMEU says.
‘During periods of hot weather, if there are areas of the workplace that are below 35C, work shall continue as normal.
‘If the on-site temp hits 35C, it’s your right to stop work. Working in the heat and humidity is dangerous.’
The union also says at temperatures below 35C, workers are to be relocated out of direct sunlight where the work environment creates a serious risk to their health and safety.
Employers must provide sunscreen, cool, clear drinking water, air-conditioned site sheds, hard hat brims and sunglasses where required.
The warning comes as Sydney is expected to endure the full impact of a severe heatwave today.
Some of its western suburbs can expect temperatures in the high 30s or low 40s on Tuesday before the cool change shifts up the NSW coast, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.
‘It will become what we call a bit of a southerly buster and shoot up that coast with a bit of ferocity, bringing some very strong winds and a very sharp temperature drop – and for Sydney, that’s forecast to be around 4pm,’ Mr Hines said.
‘The temperature could plummet about 15 degrees … and the wind will also pick up and become very strong.’
The change could also spark potentially severe thunderstorms, mostly around the eastern ranges and out towards the east coast.
‘If that happens, those severe storms could bring damaging wind gusts, large hail or heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding,’ Mr Hines said.
‘So it could be a very active day of weather across NSW, starting with the heat and then coming in with the storms and the sharp temperature drop and the powerful winds.’
On the other side of the country, heatwave conditions experienced last week are rebounding with temperatures forecast to be 4C to 12C warmer than the typical January averages across western parts of Western – and up into the 40s in the next couple of days.
Matters for workers to consider include:
· Radiant heat from particular surfaces like bondeck, roofing etc
· Sun glare
· The type of work being performed
Employers must provide:
· Sun screen
· Cool clear drinking water
· Air-conditioned site sheds
· Hard hat brims
· Sunglasses where required
SOURCE: CFMEU
Healthy Work Tips for Hot Weather:
· Drink 100-200ml of water at regular intervals, do not allow yourself to become thirsty
· Avoid drinking coffee, tea, alcohol and caffeinated soft drinks
· Wear light coloured, loose clothing made of natural fibres wherever possible
· Take regular breaks in a cool place
Signs and symptoms of heat illness include:
· Feeling sick, nauseous, dizzy or weak
· Clumsiness, collapse and convulsions can also be the result of heat illness
· Employees with these signs or symptoms need to seek immediate medical attention
Sydney
Tuesday – Max 40 Afternoon cool change. Possible storm. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm Chance of any rain: 40 per cent
Wednesday – Min 20 Max 25 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 4 mm. Chance of any rain: 60 per cent.
Thursday – Min 20 Max 25 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 7 mm Chance of any rain: 70 per cent.
Brisbane
Tuesday – Max 32 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 21 Max 32 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Thursday – Min 22 Max 31 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.
Melbourne
Tuesday – Max 22 Cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 15 Max 21 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Thursday – Min 14 Max 21 Cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.
Perth
Tuesday – Max 37 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 0 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 24 Max 41 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Thursday – Min 26 Max 39 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Adelaide
Tuesday – Max 27 Becoming sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 14 Max 26 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 0 per cent.
Thursday – Min 13 Max 27 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 0 per cent.
Canberra
Tuesday – Max 37 Afternoon cool change. Possible storm. Chance of any rain: 30 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 13 Max 27 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.
Thursday – Min 13 Max 28 Cloudy. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm. Chance of any rain: 30 per cent.
Hobart
Tuesday – Max 20 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 11 Max 22 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.
Thursday – Min 12 Max 22 Possible late shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.
Darwin
Tuesday – Max 33 Shower or two. Possible storm. Possible rainfall: 0 to 10 mm. Chance of any rain: 70 per cent.
Wednesday – Min 26 Max 33 Showers. Possible storm. Possible rainfall: 0 to 15 mm. Chance of any rain: 80 per cent.
Thursday – Min 26 Max 33 Showers. Possible storm. Possible rainfall: 0 to 15 mm. Chance of any rain: 80 per cent.