WITH current South Burnett temperatures creeping into the high 30s, the question could be asked, 'when is it too hot to go to work?'

In an article titled New guidance released on working in heat on the Safe Work Australia website, Safe Work Australia CEO, Michelle Baxter said "heat is a hazard in many Australian workplaces”.

"Eliminating the hazard is the first priority for worker safety,” she said.

"Sometimes this may mean cancelling or re-scheduling work for when there are cooler conditions.”

Owner of South Burnett business, Hoods Professional Tree Lopping, Ashley Hood said it wasn't always convenient to just stop working.

"It doesn't always work like that, our customers are waiting on us,” he said.

"When it is getting hot, we try to take more breaks.

"Usually if it hits 40 degrees, you have to pull up because it's just too hot.”

Mr Hood said if he knows it is going to be a hot day, he will plan the day accordingly.

"We try to start earlier and work until lunch time and then come back in the afternoon,” he said.

The South Burnett tree lopper said he made sure his team always stayed well hydrated when they were out in the harsh Australian sun.

"We are outdoors all day and because of the work we do, we cut down all of our shade,” he said.

"I make sure the boys are drinking plenty of water, we have a 15L water bottle with us all the time.”

The business owner said it was important to keep an eye on his work mates for any tell-tale signs of heat exhaustion.

"I am always watching them, you can tell when someone is feeling fatigued,” Mr Hood said.

"I'll tell them to go and have a drink.

"Or I'll pull them all up and send them down the shops to get a cold drink.

"Especially if some of the boys have had a big weekend.”

South Burnett Regional Council CEO, Mark Pitt said they followed strict workplace health and safety guidelines for all council staff.

A list of sun and heat safety guidelines were recently provided to all council staff who work outdoors.

The document outlined various guidelines for working in the sun including how to treat heat-induced illnesses, council's sun safety and uniform procedures and symptoms of dehydration.

"One of the things in place for this year was making sure we had ice machine at all council depots,” Mr Pitt said.