Sewa rolls out cooling truck to protect UAE workers from heat stress

The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) has launched a cooling mobile truck to protect field workers from heat stress and exhaustion.

The truck includes five separate cooling chambers which are equipped with mist sprayers as well as hygiene and sanitising tools.

Dr Rashid Al Leem, chariman of Sewa, said that the initiative is aimed at safeguarding workers from heat stress while keeping them active and boosting their productivity at work sites.

Sewa seeks to implement the principles of social responsibility and bring a smile on the workers' faces, he pointed out.

Al Leem affirmed that the authority pays huge attention to technicians and workers by developing their skills and providing a suitable work environment.

"Sewa has a large segment of workers who have contributed to developing infrastructure projects related to electricity, water and natural gas," he added.

Al Leem explained that the idea of launching the cooling truck came from field visits that he recently made to interact with workers, while getting to know about their needs.

He said that the truck is an innovative initiative that is being implemented for the first time in the country. "It will benefit construction and Sewa workers currently working on various field projects."

"The truck will move throughout the day between the sites," Al Leem underlined. He pointed out that Sewa is planning to add more trucks in the next phase that can cater to the need of workers at various locations.

Al Leem added that heat stress and heat stroke are a cause for concern for workers. These may lead to failure of body's vital functions. "The cooling truck will help workers avoid heat-related threats and increase their efficiency."

Sewa is constantly working to assess the risks that workers may be exposed to, especially during the hot summer months, while providing proper clothing and equipment to mitigate them. It holds talks with employees to identify their needs and meet their requirement, Al Leem pointed out.