Outdoor workers in the NT may have to start work at 4am to avoid climate change

TERRITORY tradies are being warned they may have to start work before the crack of dawn in future years to avoid “excessive heat stress” brought on by climate change

OzMistNT co-owner Luke Hoolihan, is used to working in the Darwin heat, but wouldn't mind starting earlier if it meant he could avoid the humidity. Picture: Justin Kennedy

TERRITORY tradies are being warned they may have to start work before the crack of dawn in future to avoid the “excessive heat stress” brought on by climate change.

A new study published the American Geophysical Union found by the end of this century, outdoor workers would need to start their shift about five hours earlier to avoid the midday heat and meet current occupational health and safety guidelines.

OzMistNT co-owner Luke Hoolihan was used to working in the Territory heat, but said the humidity some days made it challenging.

“Starting 4am wouldn’t bother us in the slightest, if it’s cooler, that’s great,” he said.

“Our business is about heat mitigation, so during our installations generally it is a lot cooler anyway.”

Lead researcher Jun’ya Takakura said while it was plausible to shift start times and for tradies to still earn money, it would be better to simply focus on minimising the effects of climate change.

“It is obvious that up to around six hours of working time shift is unrealistic and we need to find alternative ways to adapt to climate change,” he said.