Summer has officially arrived after unrelenting heatwaves left most Aussies running for cover to avoid the sweltering sun over the weekend.
Temps were so high in some places, in fact, that one Central Queensland tradie actually found his screwdriver “melted” after leaving it out in the sun while he was working.
@betteridge_sapphires Its so hot here my tools are melting ? Gotta love Central Queensland summer #hot #heat #melting #centralqueensland #queenslandsummer ♬ Hot Hot Hot – Arrow
“I’ve just left my screwdriver in the sun here by accident, and look how hot it is,” he said while bending the once rock-solid plastic handle into the concrete.
“Gotta love Central Queensland summer,” he added.
The area where the video was taken has seen scorching temps above 30 degrees all week, with no sign of it dropping moving further into December.
Queensland tradies aren’t the only ones suffering, though. Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Northern Territory and Western Australia have all also been put on high alert for incoming heatwaves by the Bureau of Meteorology.
The hazardous heat even prompted South Australia’s Country Fire Service (CFS) to issue extreme and catastrophic fire danger alerts for parts of the state.
“[We’re] urging the community to be prepared for what is forecast to be one of the most significant fire weather days in several years,” it said in a statement, warning of temperatures in the mid-40s over the weekend.
The warning came only days after extreme heat in Marree, a small town in SA, earned the region the title for ‘hottest place on earth’, clocking in a temp of 46.4 degrees on Wednesday.
Keeping your tools cool
With no end to the heat in sight, it’s important to remember you’re not the only one on the job feeling the heat. While most probably won’t melt, your tools are still under just as much strain as you are out in the scorching sun.
Exposure to harsh UV rays can dramatically reduce the lifespan of any tool with plastic components, overheat sensitive digital components and leave you with a nice burn scar if you’re not careful with the exposed heated metal.
If you want to protect your tools this summer:
Start with a strong battery: A weak battery won’t be able to hold up in the heat and could lead to your tools breaking down midway through the job – reducing its life and the life of your tool.
Clean your tools: Remove any blockages that could cause your equipment to heat up when the air isn’t flowing. Check that all parts are moving freely and are properly adjusted.
Perform regularly scheduled maintenance: Regularly check over your tools so you can identify risks before they become problems. Don’t forget to change any fluids or lubricate moving parts.
Listen to the manual: When in doubt, check your manuals for specific instructions on helping your tool handle the heat.
Try keeping both yourself and your tools cool with good sun protection. Schedule outside work during the cooler parts of the day, and don’t leave tools in the sun for longer than a few minutes at a time.
