Newport, Glenn Richard

Contributing factors

• exposure to extreme heat in work environment (>40°C, high humidity) on red alert day
• delayed removal from worksite after onset of heat illness symptoms (approximately 40 minutes)
• inadequate heat injury prevention policies and procedures at worksite
• failure to measure ambient temperature and humidity or establish work cessation thresholds
• failure of clinic staff to formally contact supporting doctor for clinical advice regarding a heat casualty
• discharge of patient from clinic to accommodation without hospital evaluation or observation despite concerning symptoms
• failure to establish measurable, objective evacuation criteria for heat casualties
• inadequate buddy system implementation for worker monitoring
• reliance on qualitative assessment of worker symptoms rather than quantitative climate measurements
• lack of night-time work alternatives to manage extreme daytime heat

Coroner's recommendations

1. The heavy construction industry should devise and implement an industry-wide code of practice in relation to the prevention and management of heat injury in the course of work, to become the baseline against which operations are assessed in terms of safety.
2. Any future industry-wide code of practice should be based on quantitative assessment of climate (including temperature/humidity thresholds and ultimate cut-off temperatures at which work must cease), with qualitative measures implemented in support. Worksites should have appropriate equipment and personnel to measure temperature and humidity.
3. Any future industry-wide code of practice should include provisions for night-based work in times when heat of the day is expected to be dangerous.
4. Any future industry-wide code of practice should include measurable, objective criteria requiring casualty evacuation to hospital, and further, measurable objective criteria requiring immediate evacuation to hospital.