The Southern DHB has been given a three-week extension to a deadline for improving workplace conditions in extreme heat at Lakes District Hospital.
WorkSafe issued three ''improvement notices'' to the DHB on February 9 requiring it to assess if heat stress was a significant risk to its workers and others, and to review its processes for mitigation and engaging with staff over the issue.
The agency initially set yesterday as the deadline, but its southern assessments chief inspector Darren Handforth said the extension recognised the DHB had shown a ''strong commitment'' to meeting its obligations.
''There is still some work to be done, and I have advised them today that as they are showing a very willing and co-operative approach, we are extending the date for compliance by three weeks.''
One of the requirements, to appoint a second health and safety representative, had been extended to the end of April to allow an ''orderly and well-planned approach''.
It was not uncommon for WorkSafe to extend compliance dates when organisations were co-operative, Mr Handforth said.
During an assessment of the hospital on February 8, he found heat stress from working in the building was likely to be a risk to workers.
The Otago Daily Times reported last month that staff were working in ''untenable'' conditions in the ageing building, and feared someone would die if the DHB did not address their concerns quickly.
