UAE's midday break a major relief for outdoor workers
16 June 2025 00:19
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)The UAE's annual midday work ban came into effect on Sunday - backed by inspections, fines and new rest stations to ensure the safety of outdoor workers - as summer temperatures hit new records. The three-month ban prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30 pm and 3 pm, until September 15.The initiative, now in its 21st year, was introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in 2004.It aims to safeguard workers' health and safety during the peak summer months. The UAE recently saw its hottest May day in over two decades, with temperatures hitting 51.6°C on May 24. 'Now in its 21st consecutive year, the midday break is rooted in a sustainability-centred approach that the UAE implements in line with its commitment to providing a safe working environment as per international best practices and occupational health and safety standards, protecting workers from injuries and illnesses caused by working in high temperatures during the summer months,' MoHRE said in a statement. To ensure compliance, MoHRE inspectors will conduct regular site visits across the country.Members of the public can report violations by calling 600590000, visiting the ministry's website, or via its smart application.Employers who fail to comply face fines of Dh5,000 per worker, with a maximum penalty of Dh50,000 for multiple infractions.According to Mohsin Ali Al Nassi, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection and Compliance at MoHRE, the midday break has achieved a record compliance rate of more than 99% for several years in a row.Last year, the ministry uncovered only 51 violations in 134,000 inspections, which is a marked improvement from the 96 violations reported the year before. In addition to inspections, MoHRE conducts awareness raising campaigns through inspectors' field visits to work sites and labour accommodations.Companies are expected to provide their workers with shaded areas, adequate cooling devices, sufficient drinking water, and first aid supplies. Mohammad, a construction worker who has been in the UAE for three years, said the midday break is a major relief.'Without this break, working in the sun would be unbearable during summer,' he told Aletihad. This year, MoHRE announced that more than 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations equipped with comfort amenities would be set up for delivery service workers across the UAE throughout the midday break period.'It's a great initiative. The rest stations especially make a big difference for us. I can rest, cool off, and drink some water after riding for hours in the sun,' Ali, a delivery rider in Abu Dhabi, told Aletihad. While the midday ban is broadly enforced, the regulations include specific exemptions for critical operations. These include tasks like laying asphalt or pouring concrete that cannot be delayed, as well as emergency repairs to essential services such as water or electricity.
Heat Impact on Health Dr. Poornimaraj Chandrasegharan, internal medicine specialist at LLH Medical Centre, Shabiya, said the break is a crucial buffer against serious heat-related illnesses. 'The most severe of these is heat stroke, a life-threatening condition where the body temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F) and requires immediate medical attention,' she told Aletihad. 'Another common issue is heat exhaustion, which occurs due to excessive loss of water and salt through sweating, leading to fatigue, dizziness, and muscle cramps.'Dehydration, sunburn, and electrolyte imbalances are frequent among outdoor workers who don't get adequate rest or hydration, she added. In the UAE, summer temperatures often exceed 45°C (113°F), particularly between 12pm and 3pm. 'Avoiding outdoor work during this period significantly reduces exposure to extreme heat and helps maintain safer core body temperatures,' Dr. Chandrasegharan said.'This break helps reduce the risk of heat stroke, which typically peaks in the early afternoon, by allowing workers to rest in cooler, shaded, or air-conditioned areas. It also plays a crucial role in minimising dehydration, as less time in direct sun reduces fluid and electrolyte loss through sweat, while providing an opportunity to rehydrate,' she explained. Dr. Chandrasegharan added that supervisors and workers should remain alert to early symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. 'The most telling sign of heat stroke is high body temperature, specifically a core temperature above 40°C (104°F), often accompanied by altered mental status or behaviour, such as confusion, irritability, slurred speech, or disorientation,' she said. Other early indicators include hot, dry, and flushed skin, a throbbing headache, dizziness or fainting, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, and rapid, shallow breathing. In more advanced cases, symptoms can escalate to seizures or loss of consciousness, according to Dr. Chandrasegharan.
'Recognising these signs early is critical, as timely intervention can prevent the condition from progressing into a life-threatening emergency.'
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