Latest news with #constructionworkers
Times of Oman
19 hours ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
Health Ministry issues heat safety rules for workers
Muscat: The Ministry of Health has launched a set of comprehensive guidelines aimed at protecting construction workers from the dangers of heat stress during the peak summer months. As part of the national 'Safe Summer' campaign, the initiative provides employers with clear recommendations to safeguard their workforce amid rising temperatures. The advisory outlines three key pillars: Smart Work Scheduling: Employers are urged to assign strenuous tasks during early mornings or late afternoons. To limit exposure, construction and outdoor work must pause between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. throughout June, July, and August. Regular Breaks: Workers should be given breaks every 45 to 60 minutes when operating in hot environments. These breaks must be taken in shaded or air-conditioned areas with access to drinking water to maintain hydration. Cooling and Ventilation: The Ministry recommends equipping indoor workspaces with fans or air conditioning. On outdoor sites, portable fans and shaded canopies should be provided to reduce heat exposure. These safety measures are intended to minimise the risk of heat-related illnesses and ensure safe, humane working conditions during Oman's hottest season. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to worker health, urging all employers to adhere strictly to the guidelines.
The National
a day ago
- Health
- The National
Thousands of outdoor workers offered support to deal with soaring temperatures
After two months of record temperatures in the UAE, authorities in Sharjah are offering advice on how to stay safe in extreme heat. Summer has arrived early as the UAE experienced its hottest May on record, with peak daily temperatures averaging higher than 40°C, with the mercury rising to 51.6°C in the Sweihan area. It followed the hottest April since records began in the early 2000s. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has now stepped in with targeted health campaigns to protect those most at risk. Outdoor workers, the elderly and infirm are most likely to suffer from the effects of exposure to heat, and the ministry is working alongside the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs to launch the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign. It aims to coincide with the midday work ban period that comes into force throughout July and August, to reduce exposure of construction workers during the hottest time of day. 'Let me be clear, protecting workers from heat-related illnesses isn't just a health issue,' said Mohammed Al Zarooni, director of the ministry's Representative Office in Sharjah. 'It's a national duty, a moral responsibility and a shared commitment that calls for all of us to work together. Through this campaign, we're emphasising the importance of early preparation and timely action. "It shows how prevention is not just a policy goal; it's a shared national responsibility. And more importantly, it sends a clear message of support and solidarity to our labour communities, who are a vital part of our society.' Support on site Education will be delivered on site for workers, to focus on risks and symptoms of heat exhaustion. It will also offer advice on first-aid practices and prevention methods to avoid heat-related illness that range from a rash or cramps to exhaustion and heat stroke in extreme cases. Medically, hyperthermia is classified when someone's temperature rises above their baseline average, usually 37°C. The government campaign will target 10,000 workers with free medical check-ups, including blood pressure and glucose testing, eye exams and blood donation drives. Meanwhile, inspection campaigns by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will be stepped up across work sites in Sharjah to ensure compliance with the midday work ban. Workers will also be offered protective equipment, food and drinking water. "This campaign reaffirms Sharjah's deep and ongoing commitment to public health, especially during the summer months, when high temperatures pose serious challenges to one of the most important segments of our society: our field workers,' said Mona Al Hawai, of the ministry's Health Promotion Department. 'Protecting the health of our community, especially those who may not always have direct access to services, is at the core of what we do. Through this campaign, we're going to deliver health lectures directly at work sites, offer basic medical check-ups and distribute protective supplies in multiple languages so that health information is not only available but accessible to everyone who needs it.' Data from the World Health Organisation showed that of about 489,000 heat-related deaths each year, most are in Asia and Europe. Last year, there were 269 deaths in India thought to be related to high temperatures. A further 161 recorded deaths were directly linked to heatstroke, as reported by India's National Centre for Disease Control. In Europe, the WHO estimates the current annual death toll of 175,000 related to extreme heat will climb in the years ahead. Vulnerable workers Delivery riders in the UAE are often exposed to extreme summer heat. Employers are stepping up support by increasing the number of shaded rest areas and introducing other packages to protect riders from heatstroke. Through its corporate responsibility programme, Careem is offering delivery captains flexible shifts to avoid peak heat hours and has introduced air-conditioned mobile rest areas, hydration kits and free health check-ups for those choosing to work during the hottest hours. "Summer in the UAE presents significant challenges for delivery work,' said Mudassir Sheikha, chief executive and co-founder of Careem. 'To ensure our captains feel supported during the hottest months of the year, we regularly host workshops to understand their needs and how we can help. This year we've extended these services to more than 60,000 delivery captains across the UAE – not just those working with Careem." Food delivery firm Deliveroo provides riders with cooling vests to help reduce body temperature and also has rest areas located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The company also has what it calls a Roo Bus, which acts as a pitstop area. The firm says "cooled buses are accessible to riders throughout the week, allowing riders to take a break from the weather" in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. "Rider safety and wellbeing is a top priority for Deliveroo and we have been working and continue to work with the authorities, our rider agencies and partners on ways to support riders, especially over the summer season," said a Deliveroo spokesperson.
Fast Company
a day ago
- Climate
- Fast Company
What is ‘wet bulb' temperature? How heat and humidity combine to dangerous levels
Extreme levels of heat and humidity are forecast to spread across the country over the next two weeks, blanketing the Southwest, Midwest, and East Coast with high temperatures beginning this June 19 and 20, and extending through the next several days. High heat alone is a risk to humans, but heat and humidity together make an especially dangerous combination. Humidity has to do with the concentration of water vapor in the air, that cloying stickiness that separates it from 'dry heat.' When humidity is high, it affects how well our bodies can cool down via sweating. And when high humidity happens in conjunction with high temperatures and intense sun, it poses an even bigger threat. One measurement of that risk comes via the 'wet bulb' temperature forecasts. This weekend, some regions —specifically around Chicago and down to the Florida Panhandle—are expected to reach 'high' and even 'extreme' wet-bulb temperatures of 85 degrees and higher, which increase the threat of heat stress. What is wet-bulb temperature? The wet-bulb globe temperature is one way meteorologists quantify heat. It includes not just the air's temperature, but also factors including humidity, wind, and sunlight. This makes the wet-bulb temperature a particularly important measurement for those who have to spend time outdoors often without shade, like many construction workers or farmworkers. It's also a useful measurement for those who partake in sports and outdoor recreational activities. The National Weather Service warns that as the wet-bulb globe temperature rises above 80 degrees, athletes should take increasing precautions, such as more rest and water breaks to help reduce the effects of the heat, and they may even want to remove their pads, gear, and other equipment. To get the wet-bulb measurement, the bulb of a thermometer is wrapped in a wet cloth. As the water evaporates, it cools the thermometer, mimicking the way the evaporation of our sweat cools our bodies. Meteorologists measure the rate of evaporation, and the temperature difference between the 'wet bulb' and the 'dry bulb,' or air temperature. The wet-bulb temperature is always lower than the dry-bulb temperature, except for when humidity levels reach 100%, and then the measurements are the same. Wet-bulb temperature vs. heat index, and their risks The heat index is another way to show the risk from extreme temperatures. But unlike the wet-bulb measurement, the heat index is measured in the shade. It takes into account the air temperature and relative humidity when someone's not in direct sunlight, to give a sense of how warm it really 'feels like,' at least when standing in a shady spot. Step into the sun, though, and it's likely to feel even hotter. The wet-bulb temp is measured in direct sunlight and takes the angle of the sun into account, along with humidity, wind, cloud cover, and air temperature. Both are important for figuring out the risks to our bodies in high temperatures. And it's important to look at both, because they can be different measurements depending on the conditions. When the heat index is at 80 to 90 degrees, that's a 'caution' warning, per the National Weather Service, meaning fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity. Between 90 and 103 degrees is an 'extreme caution' classification, with a risk of heatstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible. A heat index of 103 to 124 degrees is a 'danger' level, increasing one's risks from 'possible' to 'likely.' A heat index of 125 degrees or higher poses 'extreme danger.' With a wet-bulb temperature of 85 to 88 degrees, experts warn that working or exercising in direct sunlight will stress your body in just 30 minutes. As that wet-bulb temp climbs to 88 to 89, that amount of time shrinks to just 20 minutes. If the wet-bulb temperature is above 90, then only 15 minutes of work or exercise in the sun will stress your body—and you should take at least 45 minutes to rest each hour. Climate change is making extreme heat worse Wet-bulb temperatures don't always last all day, especially since they take into account the sun's angle. Looking at the National Weather Service's map of the country that shows the forecast for this weekend, those high and extreme wet-bulb temperatures show up for the 2 p.m. ET forecast on Saturday, June 21, and are mostly gone by 8 p.m. ET. Still, heat can be dangerous even at a lower wet-bulb temperature, and those high and extreme temperatures are concerning. As the earth warms, extreme heat is more likely overall—2024, for example, was the hottest year on record, and humans experienced, in general, an extra 41 days of dangerous heat because of climate change. And in places like the tropics, and especially along the 'monsoon belt,' humidity is also increasing along with heat. People there are seeing an increased risk of experiencing lethal wet-bulb temperatures in which their bodies can't cool themselves. The heat dome that will be building in the central and eastern parts of the country beginning this weekend could be historic, the Union of Concerned Scientists says—and climate change is making extreme heat events (and wet-bulb temperatures) like this worse. Currently, the nonprofit science advocacy organization notes, the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast are warmer than usual for this time of year, anomalies made 30 times more likely by climate change. That then leads to more moisture in the atmosphere, which leads to higher dew points and humidity levels over the eastern U.S. 'The fingerprints of climate change are all over this event,' the group says.
CTV News
7 days ago
- CTV News
Shark attacks 9-year-old girl snorkelling off Florida beach
Raynell Lugo and his fellow construction workers were on a break when they heard the screams. (WFOR via CNN Newsource) BOCA GRANDE, Fla. — A 9-year-old girl was attacked by a shark while snorkelling off a Florida beach on Wednesday. It happened off Boca Grande on the state's southwest coast. The girl's family said she was underwater when she suddenly surfaced screaming, her right hand covered in blood. They said it was barely attached to her arm. Workers rush in to help Alfonso Tello and his fellow construction workers were on a break when they heard the screams. He said they jumped in the water to help the girl, not knowing that she had been attacked by a shark. He said the image of the girl's arm is something he can't get out of his head. 'I was thinking that they were playing around, but when we heard the scream like 'help, help' we saw the little girl crying. So when we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was like something out like gets me, gets me, like everybody was in shock,' he said. 'We heard somebody screaming, help, help, help. And then we jump on and see what's going on. And I saw it was like five kids on the water, mom and dad on the water. I saw a shark right on top of the lady, little kid. So we jump on the water, we pull him off, and the shark was right behind us, and it was pretty bad,' Raynel Lugo said. Heartbreaking for those helped Lugo said after they got the girl to shore, they tried to help her until paramedics arrived. 'The hand, it was just hanging by this piece of the hands. The whole thing was completely hanging out. You can see bones all completely red. So we stopped bleeding. We tried to stop it. She put a towel on it and hold it into that place. So I sit down with her, and I was talking to the EMS arrived,' he said. 'Nine years old. I have a daughter, 9-years-old, same age. She was brave,' he added. Witnesses said it was a bull shark that attacked the girl, but officials have not confirmed that. 'It was a big shark, like eight feet. I would say like eight feet,' Tello said. Some swimmers at the beach said this is why they stay close to shore. 'You have to be careful, keep an eye out. How sad, that is very sad and I feel so bad for her,' Pamela Krout said. Shark attacks in Florida Last year, there were 28 confirmed shark bites in U.S. waters, accounting for 60 per cent of the worldwide attacks. Half of U.S. attacks took place in Florida in 2024, which is also common for the state often known to experience the highest concentrations of shark bites of anywhere in the world. Article by CBS Miami Team. Emily Mae Czachor contributed to this report.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Girl, 9, has hand and wrist bitten off in horrifying Florida shark attack
A summer vacation took a turn for the worse when a mommy influencer's young daughter was attacked by a shark in Florida - leaving her without her right hand. Leah Lendel, nine, was snorkeling off the shore of Boca Grande with her mother Nadia and her siblings around noon on June 11, when she was bitten by the shark. Bystanders said an eight-foot bullshark managed to bite off the girl's right hand and part of her wrist. She emerged from the water on her own, completely covered in blood. With the help of nearby construction workers, the fashion blogger family called 911 and created a tourniquet out of a beach towel to stop the bleeding. Lendel, with her father, was airlifted to Tampa, 100 miles away and admitted for emergency surgery in hopes of reattaching the hand. One of the construction workers, Alfonso Tello, told local outlets: 'When we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was like something out – it gets me. Everybody was in shock.' Tello and his coworkers were on lunch break when he heard the girl's scream. The men rushed to the water to help, unaware they had just witnessed a shark attack. Tello's coworker Raynel Lugo told WINK, 'The hand, it was just hanging by this piece 'The whole thing was completely hanging out.' 'You can see bones all completely red.' Her mother, Nadia Lendel, an Instagram blogger with almost 100,000 followers, posted an update to her supporters just after the attack. 'Please keep our family in your prayers. Leah got bit by a shark today while snorkeling. 'She has to get airlifted to the hospital and is undergoing surgery.' In her update to a CBS affiliate, Nadia said: 'They had to get arteries from her leg to the hand. 'Got the blood flow back to her hand. Install pins in bones. Still has open tissues. 'They will be monitoring her here for a week. But thank God she can move her fingers.' Leah Lendel's uncle Max Derinsky also offered NBC News further details on the girl's condition: 'The doctors were able to do some miracles and put her hand back together. 'She will be in the hospital for a while and then a lot of physical therapy to hopefully get her hand functioning again.' In Boca Grande, May through July is known as tarpon season, when the large fish are most populous around the island. Their most active period also coincides with shark mating season. The Boca Grande Fire Department Chief CW Blosser told local news outlets that in his time as chief, he'd only seen two shark attacks. Both of them were during tarpon season. According to data half of United States shark attacks in 2024 took place in Florida. Although that number was still relatively low, with 14 cases reported in Florida, according to the University of Florida.
