Abu Dhabi municipality is urging construction companies to comply with the mid-day work ban that begins next week to protect workers from the heat.
The municipality held a workshop on the topic recently for 700 consultants and contractors in the construction industry. The Ministry of Labour bans work in uncovered construction sites from 12.30pm to 3pm from June 15 to September 15.
At the workshop, the municipality called on contractors to observe the ban and provide shaded rest areas, cold water facilities and rehydration liquids, according to a news release.
Contractors should also provide first aid kits and raise awareness among their workers of the dangers of heat stress. To notify more workers, the municipality is distributing thousands of brochures in five languages at construction sites.
The brochures offer information about the health hazards of excessive exposure to sun and heat, as well as how to give first aid if problems arise.
Heat stress can pose serious risks with symptoms such as headache, nausea, vertigo, muscle convulsions, exhaustion, lack of concentration, unconsciousness and even death, the brochures explain.
In case of heat stress, workers can protect themselves by moving to cool and shaded areas and using fans or a damp cloth to decrease their body temperature. Cool drinks with rehydration salts are also important, the municipality said.
Inspection teams will enforce the ban, issuing warnings and later penalties.
