With temperatures rising into the thirties across the state, SafeWork NSW is urging workers and businesses to start planning now for how they will stay safe during the heat this summer.

Employers have the primary duty of care for employees and are encouraged to de­velop a workplace heat management plan in consultation with their health and safety representatives and workers to ensure everyone stays safe when the temperature rises.

Heat related illnesses happen when the body starts to overheat due to working too hard. Symptoms can include a range of progressive conditions such as dehydra­tion, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Employers who have workers completing tasks outside must do their best to elimi­nate extended periods of sun exposure.

This can be achieved by providing shade, rotating tasks to reduce exposure, sched­uling work to cooler times of the day and providing personal protective equipment such as hats, long sleeve shirts and also sunscreen.

Any worker who feels that their work­place is unsafe can make contact anony­mously and report their concerns directly to SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or via the ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ app.

Forbes Shire Council has partnered with men’s mental health service Talk 2 Me Bro to host its first International Men’s Day event and lake walk at Lions Park on Fri­day 29 November 2024.

International Men’s Day aims to bring men together to recognise and raise awareness of the social and health issues men face.

This theme for this year is “Men’s Health Champions” which highlights building healthy communities, looking out for your mates, taking action to stay healthy and building a healthier future.

The 2024 event will include speeches from Forbes Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Chris Roylance, Brad McMillan from Talk 2 Me Bro, a BBQ breakfast, ice baths and a walk around Lake Forbes.

Cr Roylance said it was important for lo­cal men to come together to socialise and talk about the issues they face.

“In Australia 50 men per day under the age of 75 die from preventable causes.

On average, men die seven years younger than women in Australia and three out of four suicides in Australia are men,” he said.

“Men’s health is everyone’s business, and we can all be men’s health champions by looking out for our mates, particularly when they’re doing it tough, and a group walk like the one planned is a great way of starting a conversation.”

We are encouraging all men from in and around Forbes to attend this event which will run from 7:30am to 10am, with the lake walk starting at 9am. For more information you can contact the Forbes Shire Council Events team at community@forbes.nsw.gov.au or alternatively you can phone them on 6850 2300.