HEAT STRESS TOOLBOX TALK
Control body heat, dehydration and excessive fatigue in hot environments.
Hydration, rest, shade and worker monitoring.
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Toolbox Topic
HEAT STRESS TOOLBOX TALK
Duration
8–10 minutes
Date
Site / Area
Supervisor
Company
Participants
Document No
OBJECTIVE
Prevent heat stress and heat illness caused by temperature, humidity, direct sun, workload and PPE.
WHY IT MATTERS
Heat stress is affected not only by air temperature but also humidity, sunlight, workload, PPE and acclimatisation.
Headache, heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps can be early warning signs.
Confusion, loss of coordination or very high body temperature must be treated as a medical emergency.
REALISTIC SITE SCENARIO
A new worker continued heavy work during a hot afternoon without regular hydration breaks.
The worker later developed dizziness, nausea and poor coordination.
Gradual acclimatisation, planned water-rest breaks and buddy monitoring would have prevented escalation.
REMEMBER
Dizziness, poor coordination or altered mental state are serious warning signs.
KEY HAZARDS
High air temperature.
Direct sunlight.
High humidity.
Heavy physical workload.
Heavy or impermeable PPE.
Inadequate fluid intake.
Workers not acclimatised.
Delayed recognition of heat illness.
CONTROLS
Assess temperature and workload.
Provide regular access to drinking water.
Implement planned recovery breaks.
Provide shade or a cool recovery area.
Schedule heavy work for cooler periods where practicable.
Manage acclimatisation of new workers.
Use suitable lightweight work clothing where permitted.
Use a buddy system to observe workers.
Monitor for heat-stress symptoms.
Stop work and initiate emergency response when serious symptoms appear.
SUPERVISOR MESSAGE
Team, if temperatures are high today we will adjust work pace and rest periods. Drink water before you feel thirsty and watch each other for symptoms. Do not hide dizziness or nausea.
TEAM QUESTIONS
What is today's heat-risk level?
Where are water and shaded rest areas?
What is the planned break frequency?
Who is new or not yet acclimatised?
What are the signs of heat exhaustion?
What is our emergency response?
FIELD VERIFICATION
Heat assessed
Water available
Break plan established
Cool area available
Workload suitable
Acclimatisation checked
PPE assessed
Buddy system active
Symptoms explained
Crew briefed
ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL
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Supervisor Signature
HSE Approval
SERNEM HSE Resource – Permit conditions, risk assessments and site procedures take priority.