Qatar moves to protect workers from heat stress

“The Ministry of Labor (MoL) launched yesterday a comprehensive awareness campaign to protect workers from heat stress during working hours, in cooperation with several partners from both the public and private sectors, in preparation for the implementation of Ministerial Decision No. (17) of 2021 concerning the regulation of working hours in open workplaces during the summer to protect workers from heat stress risks. The decision enters into force annually from June 1 until September 15. The decision prohibits work in outdoor open areas and shaded areas that are not equipped with ventilation facilities from 10am until 3:30pm, with work resuming during the evening period after the restricted hours have ended, thereby ensuring workers are protected from direct exposure to high temperatures. In addition to the MoL, participating entities include the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Public Works Authority, Qatar Charity, Qatar Red Crescent, along with a number of private sector companies. The MoL stressed that the decision requires employers, companies, and establishments operating outdoor worksites exposed to direct sunlight to establish a clear work schedule specifying daily working hours in accordance with the provisions of the decision. This schedule must be displayed prominently in a location easily accessible to all workers, thereby promoting transparency and ensuring compliance with the approved legislation. In this regard, Assistant Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Department at the MoL Saad Rashid al- Nabit said that the 2026 Heat Stress Prevention Campaign forms part of the MoL's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the risks associated with working in hot conditions and to promote a culture of prevention in workplaces. He added that the campaign focuses on educating employers and workers on the necessary preventive measures, thereby helping to reduce heat stress-related injuries and promote safe and healthy working environments in line with the highest occupational safety and health standards. The MoL will implement an integrated inspection plan to monitor establishments' compliance with the provisions of the ministerial decision concerning the prohibition of work in open workplaces during peak summer hours, through intensified field inspection campaigns and the immediate handling of reports and violations. These efforts aim to ensure the protection of workers and enhance compliance with labor market legislation, thereby reinforcing safe and sustainable working environments across various sectors. In parallel, the Occupational Safety and Health Department intensified its field efforts through the implementation of a proactive awareness campaign prior to the commencement of the decision's enforcement across various worksites in the country, in cooperation with partners. These efforts will continue throughout the implementation period from June 1 until Sep. 15 and will include distributing guidance materials in multiple languages and organizing awareness and training seminars for workers and employers, with the aim of raising awareness of heat stress risks and methods of prevention. The MoL urged employers to comply with the provisions of the decision in order to safeguard workers' health and safety, stressing that legal action will be taken against non-compliant companies, which may extend to suspending work at sites found to be in violation. This reflects the MoL's commitment to applying the highest occupational safety and health standards in support of the National Strategy for an Effective and Highly Productive Workforce 2024-2030.

Summary generated from the RSS feed of Gulf Times Qatar. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on www.gulf-times.com/qatar.