Updated 28 July 2025

At BHP, we are committed to enhancing the safety, diversity and overall wellbeing of our people. This requires us to consistently review our process of identifying and managing workplace hazards. One such hazard is heat stress. Exposure to high temperatures, especially with strenuous activity, may place parts of our workforce at an increased risk of heat related illnesses.  

Across BHP’s Minerals Australia assets, we have deployed heat management strategies, such as optimising ventilation, work-rest cycles, communication to our workforce about thermal conditions and awareness campaign materials targeted towards those conducting work that exposes them to risk of heat stress. Through continuously improving our approach to managing heat stress, we seek to enable our people to thrive in their work environment.  

Following successful improvement projects and trials, routine heat management strategies now include job hydration testing and the use of handheld monitors measuring thermal work limits.  

Job hydration testing involves non-invasive strips being placed on the tip of the tongue and provide immediate readings. Results are used to determine the most critical times affecting hydration and indicate whether additional controls are required. Meanwhile, handheld monitors enable measurement of wind speed, air flow, relative humidity and pressure, which provide enhanced real-time monitoring to guide decision-making with thermal risk assessments. 

More trials are underway on real-time core body temperature monitoring technology. This approach aims to better understand and quantify the potential impact of heat stress on our workforce under different climatic scenarios.