National Workshop on Heat, Climate, and Work Safety

Early March, ISER supported the National Workshop: Impacts of extreme heat and climate change on work health and safety held at the University of Adelaide, with a tremendous turnout of 70 in-person attendees and 15 online. Led by ISER member Professor Peng Bi from School of Public Health, and facilitated by Prof. Tony Capon (Director, Monash Institute of Sustainability) and Dr. Kimberly Humphrey (SA Health Climate Change and Health Lead), the day allowed for participants to review and address extreme heat and climate change impacts on work health and safety (WHS).

The workshop brought together academics, policymakers, service providers, and industry leaders to critically examine the evidence through expert presentations, identify research priorities, such as the need for real-time heat data, and strengthen partnerships in line with the Australian WHS Strategy, with a focus on data intelligence, productivity, and mental health.

Mr Brendan Moon, Coordinator-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, opened with a compelling call to harness collective expertise, while South Australia’s Minister for Emergency Services, Emily Burke, closed by emphasising the importance of relying on “knowledge, not luck” to safeguard workers and commended South Australia’s leadership in heat response.

Described as a “brilliant coming together of expertise,” the workshop led to renewed commitments to improve safety measures and data systems, positioning government and emergency services at the forefront of Australia’s national heat risk response, shifting research into action.

Read Professor Peng Bi study here, published in Nature Climate Change focusing on the rising temperatures may cause a spike in mental health issues, especially among young Australians.

Read Professor Peng Bi study published in the European Heart Journal  shedding light on a crucial issue, how rising temperatures contribute to cardiovascular disease.