Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: The midday break rule that will provide most outdoor workers with two-and-a-half-hour respite from the sun comes in force across the UAE today, and companies flouting the Ministry of Labour decree are set to face stiff fines.
While first-time violators will be fined Dh10,000 and not be able to issue any work permits for six months, second-time and third-time offenders will face fines of Dh15,000 and Dh20,000 respectively, in addition to being banned from issuing work permits for up to a year.
All violators will also be downgraded to category C for at least three months, according to the ministry announcement made earlier this month.
In the capital, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City and the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Centre will also aid the ministry in detecting any violating companies in the capital that continue work between 12:30pm and 3pm without prior approval from the ministry, or without valid technical reasons.
Trained inspectors
A spokesperson from the municipality told Gulf News that trained municipal inspectors had been instructed to conduct rigorous checks on worksites during the three months of the midday break, and to also ensure that sodium-enriched cold water, lemon and a cool place to rest were available.
The midday break rule, which has been implemented for outdoor workers in the country since 2004, will be in force till September 15 this year.
During the period, firms also need to ensure that daily work timings, which must not exceed eight hours in the morning or night shifts, are posted at a noticeable place in the work site.
A 34-year-old Indian construction worker told Gulf News that the extended lunch break was something he had been awaiting for quite a while.
I have been working in construction for the past nine years, and since this rule started, the extended break has given us a chance to rejuvenate ourselves. In addition, since Ramadan now falls in the summer, it also makes fasting in the heat a lot easier, he said.
I drink nearly a litre of water every hour, but it helps that I also get to avoid the hot sun and rest during these two and a half hours. The brochures given to us about how to keep healthy in the heat also helps, said M.I., 22, another construction worker from Pakistan who was working at a site near the Maqta Bridge yesterday morning.
When Gulf News contacted firms in the construction sector, most confirmed that they intended to follow the midday rule diligently.
As consultants, this year too we have conducted heat stress awareness workshops for construction workers and supervisors who are employed by the contractors we work with. We have also developed and distributed a heat index, which takes into account how humidity can increase the heat felt and affect outdoor workers, said Jorly Kaithakkattu, HSE consultant at Tebodin Middle East.
We also stress that contractors allow their workers to take frequent breaks from the heat whenever needed, and have instructed them to have medical personnel accessible for every site in case of any emergencies due to the heat or otherwise, Kaithakkattu said.
By Samihah Zaman, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
