HLS-PR-015: Managing Excessive Heat in Schools

• Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 (Qld) (new window) Part 2 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/E/EducGenPrR06.pdf
• Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Qld) (new window) Part 3 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WorkplHSaA95.pdf

• Queensland Heatwave Response Plan 2005 (new window) http://www.health.qld.gov.au/emergtrans/docs/emr/plans/heatwaveplan_05.pdf

Statement of intent

People are most at risk during extreme heat conditions when the temperatures reach about 5 degrees Celsius above the average for sustained periods of time.

Heatwave conditions are specifically when excessively high temperatures combine with high humidity levels and are sustained over a number of days. That means that although the predicted maximum temperature for a region may be in the mid-to-high 30s, unless this coincides with high humidity and lasts for a few days, it is considered "hot " rather than a "heat wave".

In South East Queensland, the Bureau of Meteorology will issue advice to Queensland Health when apparent temperatures are forecast to exceed 35 in Brisbane and 37 in Amberley, for at least two consecutive days.

Education Queensland schools remain open during periods of excessive heat or heat wave conditions.

Students are not sent home during periods of excessive heat.

Schools put in place a number of strategies to:

• manage excessive heat conditions
• reduce associated discomfort and
• minimise risks of student or staff heat-related illness.

Management of sporting and outdoor activities during hot conditions will be important elements of the schools' strategies.

Schools in South East Queensland form part of the Queensland Heatwave Response Plan.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that teachers modify or suspend normal school activities during excessive heat
• Postpone any outdoor or sporting activities where appropriate as outlined in guidelines
• Increase access to the coolest areas of the school grounds or facilities for lessons or other activities
• Ensure students with special needs (including specific medical conditions and multiple impairments) are appropriately supervised, including the monitoring of their hydration
• Ensure school lunch boxes are stored in cool areas;
• Facilitate and encourage students to drink plenty of water and to stay out of the sun
• Undertake normal first aid procedures in the event of a student or staff becoming heat-stressed - including parents or caregivers being contacted and arrangements made for students to be collected (as in any other case of injury or illness)
• Prepare a communication strategy for the school community after being informed by the Executive Director (Schools) that the school falls within the Extreme Heat Warning Zone (a heatwave is imminent).

Executive Director - Education Queensland:

• Receives warning from the Co-ordinator of Emergency Health Services, Queensland Health of a "heat warning" (when apparent temperature is expected to exceed 35 for Brisbane and 37 for Amberley, for two days or more)
• Receives warning from the Co-ordinator of Emergency Health Services, Queensland Health of an "extreme heat warning" (when apparent temperature is expected to exceed 37 for Brisbane and 39 for Amberley, for two days or more)
• Receives the above warnings with either four days (Stage White), 48 hours (Stage Yellow) or 24 hours (Stage Red) notice and also receives an indication of whether to "stand down" from warning readiness (Stage Green)
• Informs appropriate Regional Executive Directors and Executive Directors (Schools) at Stage Yellow
• Briefs Corporate Communication and Marketing as required
• Briefs the Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Education Queensland and Minister for Education and Training appropriately.

Executive Director (Schools):

• Informs principals in the nominated areas of the heat or extreme heat warnings
• Ensures that principals adequately inform their school communities of the heat or extreme heat warnings.

Forms

• Not Applicable

Other relevant documents

• Education Queensland Heat Stress Response Communication Flowchart (new window) 32k /strategic/eppr/health/hlspr015/flowchart.doc

Contacts

For information on this policy please contact: No results from phone include!

For information on managing excessive heat in schools please contact:

For information on managing excessive heat in schools please contact:

• Not Applicable