Page 93 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JUNE 2024

7/1/24, 1:47 PM International SOS alerts companies to ensure workforce safety amid extreme heatwaves | Web Release
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. 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.5 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.

Dr Ehab Chalabie, Medical Director, Medical Services, Middle East, International SOS, comments, “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.

Organisations must go beyond basic heat stress prevention and integrate heat stress risk assessments into their health and
safety policies. Furthermore, training employees to recognise early signs of heat illness is critical. 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.

“It is also important for organisations to be able to distinguish the different stages of heat-related illness. Heatstroke, the
most severe heat illness, is a medical emergency and can cause long term impact if prompt medical attention is not

given. Symptoms include a core body temperature exceeding 40°C, nausea and/or vomiting, confusion and seizures.
Recognising the early signs of heat stress, such as sweating, dizziness, headache and cramps, allows swift intervention
to prevent escalation to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”

International SOS offers guidelines for organisations to mitigate workforce health risks of extreme heat events:

1. Conduct heat-specific risk assessments: regularly assess your operations for potential heat stress hazards. Identify

high-risk locations and activities and consider vulnerable employee profiles, including those with pre-existing health
conditions or who perform strenuous outdoor work.

2. Integrate heat safety into health and safety policies: make heat stress prevention a core component of your health and

safety policies. Ensure workers have access to shaded areas for breaks, hydration stations to keep hydrated and allow for
breathable workwear suitable for high temperatures.

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