Firms must follow SCH guidelines on outdoor work

Working outdoors during the oppressive heat in Qatar’s summer months is a gruelling ordeal. Construction workers and those engaged in outdoor activities are the worst affected due to their exposure to scorching heat.

Experts at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) warn that  high temperatures in Qatar’s summer months pose risks of developing heat related illnesses to those exposed to the sun.

A majority of the workers engaged in outdoor activities are unskilled expatriates who are unlikely to know the preventive methods of heat stress.

In the previous years, authorities have imposed a ban on outdoor work for labourers for a few hours from noon until evening during the peak summer months to avoid them being exposed to heat and subsequent illness.

As Gulf Times reported yesterday, two neighbouring Gulf countries, Oman and Kuwait,  have already imposed a ban on outdoor work between noon and 3.30pm, until such period when the temperature and discomfort level drop. 

Those engaging workers, at construction sites in particular, must take adequate safeguards to ensure the labourers  are not directly exposed to the sun. Besides giving these workers enough rest, they must also be provided with  fluid dispensation facilities.

Cases of workers fainting during working hours at peak temperature are common. 

The SCH has already issued guidelines that detail among other issues, symptoms and risk factors for heat related illnesses, first aid and emergency response procedures for heat stress.

It is imperative that clean drinking water is provided to workers. Providing enough sunshades in outdoor construction sites will provide relief to workers. Prescribed first aid medical facility should be ensured in sites.

Workers newly assigned to outdoor activity during summer must be put through an acclimatisation programme, which is stressed by Qatar’s health authorities. 

Also, those workers coming back from vacation must be properly briefed before being entrusted with outdoor activities. Employers must also give their new workers, wherever possible, time to adjust to the new conditions before putting them on a full shift.

With Qatar stepping up infrastructure upgrade, thousands of workers are being recruited to various projects that are time-bound.

Companies engaging those workers must properly brief them about the SCH guidelines on outdoor duty during peak temperature.

Weeks ahead are expected to be warm with humid conditions that may bring down the overall comfort level in the country. Extreme conditions might lead to cases of heat or sunstroke, against which clear vigilance is required.Employers and workers must co-operate with the Supreme Council of Health and other law enforcing authorities to ensure that such cases are kept to the minimum.