The Prevention and Safety Authority in the Emirate of Sharjah has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign to prevent the risks of heat stress that workers face during the summer months, especially those working at open sites under direct sunlight.
The Authority confirmed that there are approved guidance documents and professional practices issued by it, such as the OSHJ-COP-15 guide related to workers’ care and comfort facilities, and the OSHJ-COP-33 guide regarding safety in high temperatures. Coordination is also underway with relevant entities such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to ensure the application of the highest occupational safety standards for workers in Sharjah.
The Authority called on all private institutions and the public to adhere to the decision banning work during midday, which is an important preventive measure to protect workers from heat stress risks. It emphasized the importance of following the guidelines distributed through the heat stress awareness campaign, which includes educational publications and field visits.
Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director of the Prevention and Safety Authority, said: “The Prevention and Safety Authority in Sharjah places the safety and health of workers as a top priority, especially during the summer season, which witnesses a noticeable rise in temperatures. Addressing the risks of heat stress is a shared responsibility that requires joint efforts between the government and private sectors. We at the Authority highly value the ongoing cooperation between the Authority and various government institutions, foremost among them the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, as well as the private companies and institutions operating in the emirate that have demonstrated remarkable commitment to applying preventive measures in recent years. We call on all institutions to continue their cooperation and engagement with awareness campaigns organized by the Authority, including the heat stress campaign, to ensure that preventive messages reach all worker categories and contribute to strengthening the culture of safety at work sites.”
Statistics monitored by the Authority over past years indicate that workers at construction and industrial sites are among the most vulnerable groups to heat stress due to the nature of their work in exposed areas under direct sunlight.
The Prevention and Safety Authority reaffirms its commitment to protecting the health and safety of workers in the Emirate of Sharjah and calls on all parties to cooperate and comply with preventive guidelines and instructions to maintain a safe work environment during the summer season.
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