Saudi to adopt summer midday work ban in 2011

Saudi Arabia will introduce a summer midday work ban, like the UAE's, next year. Image: Getty

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Saudi Arabia is to adopt a midday work ban in 2011 to protect construction workers and others who work outside from the searing summer heat.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Aju Sharfuddin, Corporate HSE Manager and World Safety Organisation UAE Chapter President told ConstructionWeek that Saudi Arabia should follow the UAE’s lead in adopting a midday summer work ban. The ban has been in place since 2006, and has been instrumental in reducing workplace accidents and illnesses caused through dehydration and fatigue.

“Saudi Arabia has a lot of construction projects as part of their developments, especially infrastructure projects which are totally exposed to direct sunlight, therefore a summer midday work ban will be a grace to all personnel on such projects. The Saudi summer is one of the worst in the GCC, and a midday work ban would be a great move for worker safety,” Sharfuddin said.

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According to Saudi-based English-language newspaper, Arab News, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Labour Dr. Ghazi Al-Ghosaibi on Monday issued a ministerial decree that prevents companies from making their employees work outside between noon and 3pm, starting on July 1 and ending on August 31. The decree comes in to effect next year, leaving companies enough time to prepare themselves for the changes.

The move brings Saudi Arabia in to line with summer work ban practices adopted throughout the GCC – each with their own adaptations. Last month, the UAE announced that its ban would be lengthened by a month, starting June 15 and ending on September 15 - and that stiffer fines and penalties had been introduced for those who ignore the law.

The Saudi summer midday work ban includes exemptions for those who work in the petroleum and gas industry and those who carry out emergency maintenance and repairs, but the Ministry says measures must be taken to protect these workers from the hot sun. Any company or business found to be flouting the new law risk being fined, shut down or both, the ministry warns.

Deputy Minister of Labour Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid said the move is in line with international labour laws to protect workers and provide them with safe and healthy working environments. “The ministry is keen to protect all workers — both Saudis and expatriates — who work under the direct heat of the sun from health problems that might be caused by the sun, especially in the summer months,” he added.