The complex range of hazards associated with the thermal environment is widely acknowledged as a serious Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issue. Exposure to extreme heat or cold can result in illness, injury and, in extreme cases, death. While high risk situations will require specialist occupational hygiene advice, the generalist OHS professional should have an understanding of the impact of hot and cold environments, risk assessment methods and the regulatory framework as a basis for advising on, implementing, and monitoring controls. This chapter presents fundamental information about potential health effects, assessment and control methods and, given the relevance of heat exposure to Australian working conditions, outlines a three-tiered approach to the assessment of heat exposure.

Keywords: thermal environment, heat, cold, hypothermia, hyperthermia, burn

First year of publication: 2012
Current Version: 2019

The written chapter can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.ohsbok.org.au/
Chapter 26: Thermal Environment. (n.d.). The OHS Body of Knowledge. https://www.ohsbok.org.au/chapter-26-physical-hazards-thermal-environment/

Course Details

Cost: AIHS Members $27.50 | Non Members $49.50
Format: Audio Chapter
CPD Points: 1