* During 2020 and the first half of 2021, Ashghal succeeded in performing the health screening of 67,719 workers, or 89.12 % of the entire workforce
The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has said it continues to implement a set of procedures and regulations to ensure the health and safety of its workers, and adheres to the permitted working hours in accordance with Ministerial Decree No 17 of 2021 regarding the necessary precautions to protect workers against heat stress at outdoor work sites during the summer.
The decree prohibits outdoor work between 10am and 3.30pm, from June 1 until September 15, and concerns work carried out directly under the sun or at outdoor sites with no ventilation.
The decree prohibits outdoor work between 10am and 3.30pm, from June 1 until September 15, and concerns work carried out directly under the sun or at outdoor sites with no ventilation.
Awareness campaigns for all workers is are conducted on the dangers of heat stress between June and mid-September of each year
This comes as part of its commitment towards the welfare of its workforce and protecting them from injuries at project sites, Ashghal said in a statement.
"A safe work environment is one of the most important requirements imposed by Ashghal on its contractors, who are obligated to develop plans to deal with the risk of exposure to heat stress and to avoid its effects, while implementing a number of procedures at work sites," the statement noted.
These include providing several shaded rest areas within the project area, providing all workers with free drinking water at all times as well as personal protection equipment.
Ashghal also obliges contractors to appoint paramedics and supervisers for occupational health and safety at project sites to provide safety instructions and first aid for workers. This is in addition to implementing awareness campaigns for all workers on the dangers of heat stress between June and mid-September of each year.
Ashghal continues to implement its health screening programme for workers in order to detect chronic diseases that may increase the risk of heat stress, the statement points out. The screening is free of charge for workers.
During 2020 and the first half of 2021, Ashghal succeeded in performing the health screening of 67,719 workers, or 89.12 % of the entire workforce. Any worker identified with an abnormal result was referred to a hospital that is part of the Ministry of Public Health network, where they were retested and given an individualised treatment plan, with medication if needed, and regular follow-up.
"It is worth noting that this proactive health programme is one of very few of its types worldwide that is implemented in an infrastructure programme," the statement added.
Ashghal stressed that it is keen on applying health and safety standards across all affairs and departments by implementing inspection campaigns in its projects to observe aspects related to health and precaution at sites, while also launching initiatives intended to raise awareness in this field.
"A safe work environment is one of the most important requirements imposed by Ashghal on its contractors, who are obligated to develop plans to deal with the risk of exposure to heat stress and to avoid its effects, while implementing a number of procedures at work sites," the statement noted.
These include providing several shaded rest areas within the project area, providing all workers with free drinking water at all times as well as personal protection equipment.
Ashghal also obliges contractors to appoint paramedics and supervisers for occupational health and safety at project sites to provide safety instructions and first aid for workers. This is in addition to implementing awareness campaigns for all workers on the dangers of heat stress between June and mid-September of each year.
Ashghal continues to implement its health screening programme for workers in order to detect chronic diseases that may increase the risk of heat stress, the statement points out. The screening is free of charge for workers.
During 2020 and the first half of 2021, Ashghal succeeded in performing the health screening of 67,719 workers, or 89.12 % of the entire workforce. Any worker identified with an abnormal result was referred to a hospital that is part of the Ministry of Public Health network, where they were retested and given an individualised treatment plan, with medication if needed, and regular follow-up.
"It is worth noting that this proactive health programme is one of very few of its types worldwide that is implemented in an infrastructure programme," the statement added.
Ashghal stressed that it is keen on applying health and safety standards across all affairs and departments by implementing inspection campaigns in its projects to observe aspects related to health and precaution at sites, while also launching initiatives intended to raise awareness in this field.
