As temperatures soar to unprecedented levels, a heartbreaking story from 2013 continues to haunt us: the tragic death of Glenn Newport, who succumbed to extreme heat while working on a Queensland worksite. But here's where it gets controversial—despite this devastating loss, there’s still no industry-standard heat policy in place to protect workers across the state. Glenn’s mother, Jenny Newport, has been advocating for change ever since, yet she feels her pleas have fallen on deaf ears. 'It’s unbelievable,' she says, 'that after 13 years, the government still hasn’t enacted a comprehensive heat policy based on the coroner’s recommendations.'
Glenn, a 38-year-old worker, was contracted to build a coal seam gas pipeline near Roma during a three-day heatwave. Despite taking regular breaks, he gradually became incapacitated by the heat, which exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. By evening, he collapsed in his room and died from hyponatremia—a condition linked to excessive heat exposure—while en route to the hospital. 'If there had been a statewide heat policy in place, Glenn would still be here,' Jenny laments. 'It’s not just about stopping work; it’s about ensuring a duty of care for our workforce.'
And this is the part most people miss—while Queensland’s Health and Safety Act requires employers to manage heat risks, there’s no set maximum temperature for workers. The Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs), negotiated between the CFMEU and the former Labor government, allowed workers to stop at 35°C or 29°C with 75% humidity. However, the newly elected LNP government suspended BPICs for major projects in 2024, sparking outrage among labor advocates. Jared Abbott of the CFMEU argues that an industry-standard heat policy wouldn’t hinder productivity but instead drive better behavior and efficiency on worksites.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland offers tools like an online heat stress calculator, but experts say this isn’t enough. Professor Ollie Jay, director of the Heat and Health Research Centre at the University of Sydney, advocates for a graded approach—one that focuses on 'hot people in hot environments' rather than just air temperature. He points out that standard meteorological measurements, taken in the shade, often underestimate the radiant heat workers face in direct sunlight. Professor Jay’s team developed a heat policy for the Australian Open, which uses measures like ice towels and increased water intake to protect athletes. He believes a similar policy, repurposed for worksites, could save lives.
Here’s the bold question: Why hasn’t this research been implemented nationwide? With extreme heat becoming the new normal, isn’t it time we prioritize worker safety as much as we do climate change mitigation? Jenny Newport’s plea is clear: 'If we’re safeguarding our country from climate change, shouldn’t we also future-proof our workforce?' What do you think? Is it time for a universal heat policy, or is the current approach sufficient? Let’s spark a conversation in the comments—your voice matters.
