ADM Kick-starts Awareness Campaign On Midday Working Ban, Risks Of Heat Stress

Under the slogan "Safety in Heat," the Abu Dhabi City Municipality has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at raising awareness among companies and workers on the importance of implementing the Midday Working Ban law and the negative health effects of heat stress.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Jun, 2018) Under the slogan "Safety in Heat," the Abu Dhabi City Municipality has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at raising awareness among companies and workers on the importance of implementing the Midday Working Ban law and the negative health effects of heat stress.

The campaign is intended to boost the awareness of those in charge of the environment, health and safety aspects at construction sites about their role in monitoring compliance with workers’ safety requirements and protecting them from injuries resulting from exposure to direct sunlight or heat stress due to high temperatures and humidity.

The campaign is in line with the endeavours of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities - Abu Dhabi City Municipality to ensure the highest quality of life and sustainable environment for residents of Abu Dhabi city. The municipality’s Environment, Health and Safety Division implements occupational safety and health laws at all construction sites and projects and seeks to bring them in line with global best practices. The civic body also strives to ensure workers’ safety and security to reduce accidents and injuries at construction sites by conducting a series of procedures and periodic inspection campaigns targeting such sites.

The Midday Working Ban, which is in line with the municipality’s strategy, aims to provide a safe working environment for workers at construction sites and echoes its mission to provide the highest and most effective municipal services. The decision also renews the keenness of entities to safeguard the lives and health of employees and apply the highest humanitarian and health standards to provide protection from direct sunlight for outdoor workers.

The campaign included a workshop held at the municipality's headquarters to raise the awareness of the construction sector and stress the importance of taking proper action and learning the requirements of the heat stress management programme to protect workers from heat and its dangerous health consequences. The campaign is part of the Midday Work Ban law issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which bans all employers from asking workers to perform any outdoor activities from 12:30 to 15:00. This law is in effect for three months from 15th June to 15th September.

Through this awareness campaign and various other programmes, the municipality intends to sensitise workers who work under direct sunlight, especially in the summertime.