Page 102 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JUNE 2024

6/28/24, 2:16 PM Latest News
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.
3. Provide heat stress awareness and prevention training: deliver climate-specific training programmes that

focus on working safely in extreme heat. Educate employees on proper hydration practices and sun
protection measures and enable them to adjust their work pace during high temperatures. Train employees to

recognise heat stress symptoms and provide clear protocols for hydration, rest breaks and cooling down.

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