Strategies to Improve Workplace Safety and Productivity in the Extreme UAE Climate

The UAE’s extreme weather patterns pose complex concerns that affect both workplace management and employee well-being. Constant exposure to sunlight with temperatures above 45°C, combined with high humidity, creates a heightened risk of dehydration, fatigue, and more severe heat-related illnesses. The harsh weather conditions affect the workforce's health and impact the overall organizational operations through the slowdown of operations brought about by reduced productivity. To properly manage and resolve these circumstances, businesses must proactively adopt strategies that keep the employees safe and healthy while sustaining optimal performance. 

What is Heat Stress?

The phenomenon of heat stress can be defined as the body’s inability to regulate its internal temperature under extreme environmental conditions. This occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate through sweating. When the human body’s natural cooling process fails, it can lead to health issues, varying from heat exhaustions to heatstrokes.

Heat stress can negatively impact an individual’s physical and mental health and impact their performance in the workplace. It can impair cognitive functions and reduce concentration, which increases the risk of accidents, especially in high-risk environments like construction sites, factories, or any outdoor work setting. Research and studies show that high temperatures can cause decreased reaction times, increased fatigue, and a rise in the rate of workplace injuries, even in organizations with rigid safety practices. 

Heat Stress in the UAE

During June to September in the UAE, the regional summers bring extensive heat conditions that pose major hazards for workers who are posted in outdoor work stations. During this period, most parts of the country experience average temperatures of 42 °C on average, while some regions, such as Fujairah, cross 46 °C. These temperatures, combined with high humidity levels and additional heat from reflective surfaces, create a high-risk environment that disrupts the body’s thermoregulatory system, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses. 

Workers in industries such as construction, oil and gas, logistics, landscaping, and agriculture - who spend a lot of time outdoors - are particularly susceptible to the illnesses caused by heat stress. Managing the wide array of issues that sprout from extreme heat requires proper enforcement of local regulations, employer-led interventions, and training the workforce for these kinds of situations. 

UAE Labor Regulations on Heat Safety

To address and oversee the health risks caused by extreme heat, the UAE has implemented strict legal frameworks to protect workers placed outdoors, especially during the summer-time.
The regulations set by the government mandate the need for employers to remain proactive and take all the appropriate steps to keep their workers safe. Non-compliance with these regulations can invite legal troubles, cause financial stress, and even sabotage your reputation. Let us take a look at some of the key regulatory components set up by the government: 

• Midday Work Ban: As per Ministerial Decree No. 401 of 2015 and MoHRE, outdoor work has been strictly prohibited from 12:30 PM to 03:00 PM during the period of June 15 to September 15, every year. The official notice states that the employers must make sure to enforce this ban, provide shaded areas for rest, and display the official shift schedules at the workplace. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in fines from AED 5,000 to AED 50,000.
   
• Risk Assessments: According to Dubai’s Occupational Health Guidelines and Article 91 of the UAE Labor Law, Employers and organizations must take the compulsory steps to conduct regular formal heat stress risk assessments. They’re also required to remain practical and adapt their workplace to address emerging hazards. Not meeting these guidelines can result in medical liabilities.

To summarize, MoHRE’s Occupational Heat Stress Protection Policy states that employers must provide proper hydration, shade, intermittent breaks, and proper training during peak summer periods. 

Learn more about: Adapting to Demand: The Role of Manpower Supply Companies in the UAE's Seasonal Industries

Measures for Building a Safer Workplace 

Building a safe and heat-resilient workplace requires more than awareness. This process requires a structured approach that ticks off all the aspects. As the summer months approach, employers must implement proactive measures, from administrative controls and engineering solutions to hydration strategies. These include: 

Administrative Prospects: Effective planning is instrumental when it comes to minimizing heat exposure. Employers should limit all the physically demanding tasks to the cooler hours. During the midday hours, they can schedule lighter work (limited to indoors) and stay in line with the government’s midday work ban. Structuring proper work-rest cycles is essential during this period. The process involves rotating teams to limit constant exposure to heat. By conducting risk assessments, organizations can evaluate factors such as humidity, identify high-exposure areas, and consider unique geographical elements while consulting with safety experts. 

Engineering Prospects: The right modifications to the workspace can reduce heat stress risks with ease. Installing shades, adding air conditioning units, and providing proper ventilation across the facilities can maintain the temperatures and keep the workers cool. Using heat-reflective building materials can reduce the heat buildup. On-site vehicles must have the required cooling systems to maintain cooler temperatures during transit across workspaces. 

Protective Gear and Hydration: All the workers should be equipped with proper equipment that supports extremely hot temperatures. This protective wear should be made from lightweight and breathable materials, along with sun protection and UV-blocking visors. Neck wraps and other cooling accessories can help employees better control the temperature. The workers must also be advised to stay hydrated, with constant access to clean and cool water all throughout the work period. 

Awareness and Training: All the workers should be trained to recognize early signs of heat stress and take immediate action. This training must also include aspects of first aid training, proper hydration practices, and emergency procedures. These classes must be delivered in multiple languages to be comprehended by a diverse workforce. Regular sessions help reinforce knowledge and prepare your workforce teams for the extreme heat conditions. 

Emergency Plan: All the companies should remain ready for heat-related emergencies. All the workspaces should be stocked with first-aid kits, recovery areas and cooling agents. The organization must have designated medical personnel who are trained to respond to such situations promptly. 

Read more: Role of Manpower Suppliers in Supporting workers

Industry-specific Precautions for Heat Stress

Although heat stress occurs in specific regions, various industries implement different strategies to maintain ideal temperatures. As each industry has different exposure levels and working conditions, employers must implement the following unique measures and precautions:

Construction: Rotating shifts, hydration zones, and wearable technologies can help monitor and manage on-site heat exposure.

Oil & Gas: Remote sites required mobile cooling units, shaded areas, and heat-specific protective gear backed by HSE awareness campaigns.

Logistics & Warehousing: Ventilated layouts and well-balanced schedules reduce indoor heat buildup during loading and heavy operations.

Landscaping & Agriculture: Work limited to cooler hours, with sun gear, hydration packs, and mobile shade can protect field workers by limiting the heat. 

Marmoom’s Manpower Strategies for Safer Workplaces

The UAE’s extreme climate and the continuous operational challenges require adaptability and commitment. Companies that take proactive measures not only remain in compliance with the UAE labor laws but also protect their most valuable asset, their workers. Organizations that lead with worker-centered practices and policies will find greater productivity, morale, and long-term growth. 
 

With a strong focus on trust, operational efficiency, and deep industry knowledge, Marmoom Manpower continues to uplift organizations across the UAE with our workforce services and solutions. In a climate where every degree counts, having the right manpower makes a huge difference. However, having a true strategic partner who actively prioritizes worker health means your business stays strong and ready for any and every challenge.