Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy

About the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention

The Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy is considered one of the main pillars of the UAE labour market legislation, which aims to provide a safe work environment in accordance with the best practices in occupational health and safety, and to protect the workforce from the damages and injuries caused by working under the high temperature during Summer time.

Effective Dates: 15 June - 15 September of every year
Timing: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Prohibited Activities: All types of work that are carried out under the sun and in open places

Obligations of the Business Owners

Companies are expected to offer resting means for their employees, and to adhere to the following rules:

Providing shaded areas for workers during the ban, or while carrying out allowed duties
Providing adequate cooling devices
Providing sufficient drinking water to prevent dehydration
Providing first aid equipment at work sites

Exempted activities from the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy

Some jobs are exempted from implementing the midday work ban for technical reasons. These jobs include:

Laying asphalt or pouring concrete, in the event where is unfeasible to postpone these tasks until after the break
The work needed to contain hazards or repair damages that affect the community, such as interruptions to water supply, and other major issues.
Works that require a permit from a relevant government authority to be implemented

Resting stations for delivery services workers

In a coordinated initiative with private sector delivery companies, and with the support of relevant government entities, MOHRE announced, in collaboration with these entities, the opening of safe and air-conditioned resting stations for delivery services workers across various parts of the UAE, offering an interactive map of these stations to enable workers to easily locate and access them during the Midday Break, which takes place from 15 June to 15 September of every year

ReportingOccupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy violations

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation receives reports from community members regarding any violations of the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy through the following channels: