Page 64 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JUNE 2024
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7/1/24, 1:29 PM                        International SOS sends alerts to UAE firms on workers' safety in summer
        International SOS sends alerts to UAE
        firms on workers' safety in summer

        DUBAI, 2 days ago
        International  SOS,  world’s  leading  health  and
        security  services  company,  has  sent  alerts  to
        companies  in  the  UAE  to  ensure  safety  of  the
        workforce  with  heatwaves  expected  to  become
        more severe in the region as well as globally.

        As  heatwaves  are  most  dangerous  natural
        hazards,  it  can  cause  extreme  health  and  safety
        risks  for  workers.  Almost  half  of  the  global
        population, including over one billion workers, are
        at risk of being exposed to high-heat episodes due
        to    higher-than-normal   temperatures     and
        heatwaves, which have already been recorded in
        June 2024 and this year’s April being the hottest
        April on record.

        According to International SOS, heatstroke, dehydration and heat exhaustion are just some of the dangers workers
        face in extreme heat conditions.

        These conditions can lead to decreased productivity, increased accidents and even fatalities, it stated.

        Annually, 22.85 million occupational injuries and 18,970 work-related fatalities are attributable to excessive heat.

        In the UAE, heat stress is a recurring issue for outdoor workers, especially during the summer when temperature
        may reach up to 50°C. With an aim to address this issue, the Ministry of Labour has imposed a nationwide ban on
        outdoor work between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM during summer.

        Additionally, the Ministry has mandated employers to clearly display their working hours and provide appropriate rest
        areas  that  are  equipped  with  drinking  water,  first  aid  kits  and  sun  protection  measures.  In  2023,  the  country
        witnessed nearly 95.5 per cent of employers comply with the ban due to the Ministry’s rigorous inspections.

        Workers  across  various  sectors  are  impacted  by  extreme  weather  events,  however,  certain  occupations  are
        especially at risk as they involve more physical effort and/or take place outdoors.

        Industrial  workers  in  indoor  settings  are  also  at  risk  if  temperature  levels  inside  factories  and  workshops  are  not
        regulated properly, stated International SOS in its alert.

        At high heat levels, performing even basic office and desk tasks can be challenging as it can cause mental fatigue,
        while physiological and cognitive abilities can decline due to heat strain.

        Exposure to excessive heat can also lead to serious health risks, including heatstroke and even death. Proactive
        measures from organisations are crucial to mitigate these risks and safeguard worker wellbeing and productivity, it
        stated.

        Dr Ehab Chalabie, Medical Director, Medical Services, Middle East, International SOS, said: "The growing intensity
        and frequency of heatwaves pose a significant challenge for workforce health and safety. Occupational heat stress
        used  to  be  primarily  an  outdoor  concern,  but  with  rising  temperatures,  even  indoor  workplaces  without  proper
        ventilation can become dangerous."

        He  pointed  out  that  organisations  must  go  beyond  basic  heat  stress  prevention  and  integrate  heat  stress  risk
        assessments into their health and safety policies.

        Furthermore, providing training to employees to recognise early signs of heat illness is critical, stated Dr Chalabie,
        adding that early intervention can prevent a medical emergency and long-term health consequences.
        By fostering a culture of heat awareness and encouraging frequent hydration and breaks during peak temperatures,
        organisations can empower their workforce to stay healthy and safe, he noted.

      https://tradearabia.com/news/EDU_423644.html                                                                  1/2
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