From June 15, staff will not be allowed to work outside between 12.30pm and 3pm. Victor Besa / The National
From June 15, staff will not be allowed to work outside between 12.30pm and 3pm. Victor Besa / The National
From June 15, staff will not be allowed to work outside between 12.30pm and 3pm. Victor Besa / The National
From June 15, staff will not be allowed to work outside between 12.30pm and 3pm. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi campaign aims to protect workers from heat stress


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Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre is running an awareness campaign to protect workers from heat stress during the summer months.

The annual Safety in Heat campaign coincides with the start of the midday work ban.

According to government rules, outside work is not permitted between 12.30pm and 3pm from June 15 until September 15.

Companies that break the rules face fines of Dh5,000 ($1,360) for each worker, up to a maximum of Dh50,000. Depending on the severity of the breach, the company could also have its status downgraded by the the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Employers and supervisors will be reminded about taking precautionary measures to protect their workers from the summer heat.

Officials will also educate workers about the risks they run by being exposed to sunlight during the hottest times of the day.

Matar Al Nuaimi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said workers and employers must be aware of their rights and duties.

The campaign is aimed at workers in the construction, waste, energy, tourism, culture, health, transportation and food industries.

Businesses that require work to be done outdoors must familiarise themselves with the safety requirements and implement them.

Promotional materials will be distributed to companies in the capital to reduce the number of heat-related illnesses. Online training will also be given, the centre said.

Businesses must print instructions about eating healthy food, drinking water, taking breaks and wearing suitable personal protective equipment. The printouts should be distributed to their workers.

Covid-19 safety measures should also be followed to keep staff safe.

Abu Dhabi Municipality inspectors on a safety inspection – in pictures

  • The scaffolds at under-construction buildings need to be properly secured and categorised as safe-to-use by a third party. Victor Besa / The National
    The scaffolds at under-construction buildings need to be properly secured and categorised as safe-to-use by a third party. Victor Besa / The National
  • Faraj Ali Almaeeni, an inspector of the Health and Safety Department checks for any slip-ups around scaffolds. Victor Besa / The National
    Faraj Ali Almaeeni, an inspector of the Health and Safety Department checks for any slip-ups around scaffolds. Victor Besa / The National
  • Saif Abdul Hay from the Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspects safety standards of a construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
    Saif Abdul Hay from the Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspects safety standards of a construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
  • Abu Dhabi City Municipality officers on a safety inspection at a under-construction site in Al Raha. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi City Municipality officers on a safety inspection at a under-construction site in Al Raha. Victor Besa / The National
  • A worker wearing a safety helmet, face mask and gloves at the construction site. Victor Besa / The National
    A worker wearing a safety helmet, face mask and gloves at the construction site. Victor Besa / The National
  • Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspectors on a safety inspection. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspectors on a safety inspection. Victor Besa / The National
  • Most sites in Abu Dhabi abide by safety regulations, said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality. Victor Besa / The National
    Most sites in Abu Dhabi abide by safety regulations, said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality. Victor Besa / The National
  • Working at heights remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities, said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality. Victor Besa / The National
    Working at heights remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities, said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality. Victor Besa / The National
  • A worker at a under-construction site. Victor Besa / The National
    A worker at a under-construction site. Victor Besa / The National
  • Saif Abdul Hay from the Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspects safety standards of a construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
    Saif Abdul Hay from the Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspects safety standards of a construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
  • Khaled Khamees Almarzooqi (right, front row), head of Environment, Health and Safety Department and his team at the site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
    Khaled Khamees Almarzooqi (right, front row), head of Environment, Health and Safety Department and his team at the site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
  • Construction workers take a break at the construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
    Construction workers take a break at the construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National
  • Construction workers take a short break. Victor Besa / The National
    Construction workers take a short break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspectors at work. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspectors at work. Victor Besa / The National
  • Workers on the construction site follow safety rules. Victor Besa / The National
    Workers on the construction site follow safety rules. Victor Besa / The National
  • An elevator technician rolls down the metal safety doors of the lift at the construction site. Victor Besa / The National
    An elevator technician rolls down the metal safety doors of the lift at the construction site. Victor Besa / The National