Oman halts mid-day outdoor work
Published: 04:06 PM,Jun 05,2024 | EDITED : 10:06 PM,Jun 05,2024
With the soaring temperatures in Oman, the government has taken decisive action to protect workers from heat stress by suspending work for three hours each afternoon.
The Ministry of Labour announced that from June to August, outdoor work is banned from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm. This policy aims to safeguard workers from the dangers associated with heat exposure, allowing them to resume outdoor activities only after the designated hours.
The meteorological authorities have cautioned against exposure to direct sunlight during these extreme temperatures, highlighting risks such as sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses.
These conditions are particularly prevalent in fields requiring prolonged outdoor activity.
Experts predict that 2024 could mark the first year in human history where the global average temperature exceeds the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold. Consequently, occupational safety and health are gaining heightened attention worldwide, emphasising the protection of both workplaces and workers to enhance productivity and overall development.
Heat exhaustion, a common result of high temperature exposure and dehydration, can significantly impair workers' health.
In adherence to the Omani Labour Law, the Ministry of Labour underscores the importance of implementing measures to halt afternoon work in the private sector.
Such compliance is crucial for fostering a safe and healthy work environment, improving worker-employer relations, and reducing occupational accidents related to heat stress.
The construction sector is particularly vulnerable, with workers frequently exposed to direct sunlight. Thus, the ministry has enforced stringent regulations to ensure their protection, reflecting Oman’s commitment to international labour laws and conventions.
Violations of these regulations can lead to severe penalties, including fines ranging from RO 100 to 500, imprisonment for up to one month, or both, with doubled penalties for repeated offenses.
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health is actively conducting inspections to enforce these measures and promote safer working conditions.
Medical professionals note that heat stress symptoms include intense sweating, increased heart rate, low blood pressure upon standing, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps.
Therefore, occupational safety regulations stress the importance of preventive measures, such as wearing light, loose, light-colored clothing, using sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats, and staying well-hydrated.
Overall, these proactive steps aim to protect its workforce, ensuring their well-being and maintaining productivity during the harsh summer months.
The Ministry of Labour announced that from June to August, outdoor work is banned from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm. This policy aims to safeguard workers from the dangers associated with heat exposure, allowing them to resume outdoor activities only after the designated hours.
The meteorological authorities have cautioned against exposure to direct sunlight during these extreme temperatures, highlighting risks such as sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses.
These conditions are particularly prevalent in fields requiring prolonged outdoor activity.
Experts predict that 2024 could mark the first year in human history where the global average temperature exceeds the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold. Consequently, occupational safety and health are gaining heightened attention worldwide, emphasising the protection of both workplaces and workers to enhance productivity and overall development.
Heat exhaustion, a common result of high temperature exposure and dehydration, can significantly impair workers' health.
In adherence to the Omani Labour Law, the Ministry of Labour underscores the importance of implementing measures to halt afternoon work in the private sector.
Such compliance is crucial for fostering a safe and healthy work environment, improving worker-employer relations, and reducing occupational accidents related to heat stress.
The construction sector is particularly vulnerable, with workers frequently exposed to direct sunlight. Thus, the ministry has enforced stringent regulations to ensure their protection, reflecting Oman’s commitment to international labour laws and conventions.
Violations of these regulations can lead to severe penalties, including fines ranging from RO 100 to 500, imprisonment for up to one month, or both, with doubled penalties for repeated offenses.
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health is actively conducting inspections to enforce these measures and promote safer working conditions.
Medical professionals note that heat stress symptoms include intense sweating, increased heart rate, low blood pressure upon standing, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps.
Therefore, occupational safety regulations stress the importance of preventive measures, such as wearing light, loose, light-colored clothing, using sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats, and staying well-hydrated.
Overall, these proactive steps aim to protect its workforce, ensuring their well-being and maintaining productivity during the harsh summer months.