UAE Reinforces Heat Protection Measures: Employers Must Safeguard Outdoor Workers This Summer
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has intensified its heat protection measures, urging employers to take necessary actions to shield outdoor workers from extreme summer temperatures. As part of these measures, companies are mandated to provide cold drinking water, shaded rest areas, industrial cooling systems, and first aid facilities to mitigate the risk of heat stress and ensure a safe working environment.
In a statement disseminated through its official social media channels, MoHRE emphasized that all establishments employing outdoor workers must adhere to the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy. This policy mandates the implementation of adequate safety and preventive measures aimed at reducing risks associated with high temperatures and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
These requirements are designed to protect workers’ health, enhance occupational safety, and foster a secure working environment throughout the summer months.
Five Key Obligations for Employers
MoHRE has outlined five essential measures that employers must implement at outdoor worksites to minimize the risk of heat stress and related illnesses.
One of the primary obligations is to ensure that workers have access to ample quantities of cold drinking water during the workday. Employers are also expected to provide hydration supplies that replenish fluids and electrolytes lost while working in extreme heat, thereby reducing the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Maintaining proper hydration is regarded as one of the most effective strategies to protect workers from the adverse effects of high temperatures.
First Aid Facilities Must Be Readily Available
Employers are required to equip worksites with appropriate first aid tools and emergency equipment to facilitate a rapid response in the event of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or other heat-related medical emergencies. Quick intervention can significantly mitigate the severity of heat-related illnesses and help avert life-threatening situations. Companies must ensure that first aid equipment is easily accessible and well-maintained at all outdoor work locations.
Cooling Systems and Shaded Rest Areas Required
To further reduce workers’ exposure to excessive heat, MoHRE mandates that employers provide suitable industrial cooling systems wherever feasible to lower temperatures in outdoor work environments. Additionally, companies are required to establish fully shaded rest areas where workers can take breaks away from direct sunlight. These shaded spaces should offer a comfortable environment for employees to cool down before returning to work. Such measures are crucial in preventing heat stress while enhancing workers’ overall wellbeing and productivity.
Focus on Occupational Safety
This reminder is part of the UAE’s broader initiative to strengthen occupational health and safety standards during the intense summer months, when temperatures often exceed 45°C. Authorities have continuously urged employers to prioritize worker welfare by ensuring that workplaces are equipped to handle extreme weather conditions. The Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy aims to reduce incidents of heat-related illnesses while promoting safer working practices across industries that heavily rely on outdoor labor, including construction, infrastructure development, landscaping, and municipal services.
Shared Responsibility
MoHRE has underscored that protecting workers from heat stress is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. While companies are obligated to provide the necessary facilities and protective measures, employees are encouraged to stay hydrated, utilize designated shaded rest areas, and promptly report any symptoms of heat-related illness to their supervisors. Common signs of heat stress include excessive sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Without timely treatment, heat exhaustion can escalate into heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Adherence to the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy not only contributes to workers’ health and safety but also helps maintain productive and sustainable workplaces throughout the summer. By reinforcing these preventive measures, UAE authorities continue to advocate for prioritizing worker welfare during one of the hottest periods of the year, ensuring that outdoor employees can perform their duties under the safest possible conditions.
For more information, visit the source: timesofdubai.ae.
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Published on 2026-07-04 11:18:00 • By the Editorial Desk
