Extreme Heat and Health Risks for Older Traders at QVM
OVERVIEW:
Due to trading conditions under the Sheds during days of extreme
heat, attention needs to be given to the welfare of traders, this matter
becomes urgent when considering older traders who are in a particularly high
risk category.
We have a very limited number of older traders at the Market (see
below), some with pre-existing health conditions, which places them at even
greater risk.
Research from various recognised sources indicates that people
aged 65 years and over are at a higher risk of being adversely impacted on days
of extreme heat.
The exact temperature at which older traders under the sheds are
at particular risk is open to
discussion, but some data sets the at risk temperature as anything
from 30° up.
(Please refer to attached Reference Material for more information)
RECOMMENDATION:
As an immediate precautionary measure to begin to address this
issue the following
recommendation is given:
All traders 65 and over be exempted from being required to attend
the Market on days where the temperature is forecast to be 36° or over.
Given:
a) the extremely low financial impact of this measure
b) the minimisation of an at risk trader feeling compelled to
attend on a day of extreme heat
c) the reduction of adverse health impacts to both the individual
concerned and
management’s duty of care obligation on such days
d) the good will being shown by the company in taking an
empathetic approach ( thus
assisting towards the building of a closer relationship between
management and traders )
e) the fact that the summer months are at the very start and very
end of the year
f) the likelihood that these traders also have pre-existing health
conditions ( which places
them at an even higher risk and that increases the probability
that they may not have any
leave provision left at the start of summer )
the recommendation is that this provision remains outside the
current leave provision extended to traders.
NUMBER OF TRADERS LIKELY TO BE
IMPACTED:
An onsite evaluation conducted on Sunday 24th of January 2016
determined that 14 traders fall into the 65 years or over category.
Of these 14 traders:
9 traders habitually do not come into the market if the
temperature is 36° or over
2 traders habitually do not come into the market if the
temperature is 40° or over
3 traders attend the Market on all days notwithstanding
temperature forecasts
FINANCIAL IMPACT
On the basis of the above indicated trader numbers and their
current behaviour on extreme heat days and using the 2015 calendar year as a
guide, the financial impact for QVM PTY LTD would have been as follows:
Total January 2015 credits due - $480.24
Total February 2015 credits due - $823.68
Total December 2015 credits due - $2,559.04
TOTAL IMPACT for the 2015 calendar year - $ 3,862.96
Extreme Heat and Health Risks for Older
Traders at QVM
Reference
Material:
a) Protecting
human health and safety during severe and extreme heat events ( Price Waterhouse Coopers Australia )
Heatwaves
kill more Australians than any other natural disasters. They have received far less
public attention than cyclone, flood or bushfire – they are private, silent
deaths which only hit the media when morgues reach capacity or infrastructure
fails. There has never been a national study which uses a common definition of
heatwaves and directly comparable mortality data. Australia has no national heatwave
plan. This report remedies these deficiencies and recommends strategies for the
national, state and local governments as well as for citizens.
“Because
they lack the spectacular and sudden violence of say, a tropical cyclone or
flash flood,and because the related death tolls are not always obvious at
first, heatwaves rarely receive adequate attention. However, heatwaves are
amongst the most dangerous natural hazards.” Michel Jarraud Secretary-General World
Meteorological Organisation
Groups
most at risk
Heat
events do not affect all individuals equally.
Different
groups within our communities are more at risk of adverse health affects due to
prolonged exposure to high temperatures than others.
b)
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Summary
People
aged 65 years and over are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses and need
special care in hot weather.
Risk
factors include living alone, chronic medical problems and certain drugs.
Take
steps to prevent heat stress on days when the temperature is predicted to rise
above 30°C or so.
c)
melbourne.vic.gov.au/summersense
Who is at
risk?
Anyone can
suffer from a heat related illness, however the following could be more
vulnerable
during an extreme heat event:
• those who
are aged over 65 years, especially if living alone
• people who
are overweight, obese or have pre- existing medical conditions
d)
safeatwork.org.au
Cease
working at 36-38 degrees Celsius
DISCLAIMER
The author of this recommendation is providing only preliminary
advice in line with his role as a member of the Queen Victoria Market Advisory
Committee to attempt to begin to safeguard the health and interests of at risk
traders in the market.
He accepts no personal liability for the recommendations provided
above.
It remains the
responsibility of QVM Market management and Market owners to carry out further
studies and evaluations to establish appropriate safety requirements and
measures that require implementation.Have Your Say - click here.
