MoH issues guidelines to protect workers from heat stress
Published: 06:06 PM,Jun 22,2025 | EDITED : 10:06 PM,Jun 22,2025
MoH issues guidelines to protect workers from heat stress
Muscat: As temperatures rise during the summer months in the Sultanate of Oman, the risk of heat stress emerges as one of the most significant challenges facing outdoor work environments, particularly at construction sites and open project areas.
In this context, the Ministry of Health (MoH), has launched an awareness initiative titled 'Safe Summer', aimed at raising awareness among employers and workers about the dangers of heat stress and ways to prevent it.
This initiative reflects the commitment of the concerned authorities to safeguard the health and safety of workers. As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Health issued a set of general recommendations that employers must adhere to in order to reduce the risk of heat stress. These include implementing smart work schedules by assigning strenuous tasks during the early morning or late afternoon hours, and prohibiting outdoor work during peak heat periods specifically from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm during the months of June, July and August.
Authorities also emphasised the importance of providing regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Rest periods should last between 45 to 60 minutes when working in a hot environment. Additionally, workers should have access to drinking water and hydration materials to help maintain body hydration and replace lost fluids.
In terms of improving the working environment, the recommendations stress the use of air conditioning or fans in indoor workspaces, as well as portable fans and umbrellas in outdoor areas, to help reduce surrounding temperatures.
The campaign also underscores the importance of increasing awareness through training workers to recognise the signs of heat stress and respond appropriately. Educational materials including posters, brochures and short videos should be available at worksites. Furthermore, employers are advised to monitor daily temperature and humidity levels and to identify high-risk groups such as individuals with diabetes, heart conditions, or those taking diuretics, giving them priority in protective measures.
HEAT STRESS
To better understand the health impacts of heat stress, the Observer spoke to Dr Muna Mohammed, an Emergency Medicine Specialist, who emphasised that heat stress is not limited to fatigue or exhaustion it can escalate into severe conditions such as heatstroke, which may lead to unconsciousness or organ failure if not treated immediately.
She added that it is crucial for workers to recognise early warning signs such as excessive sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps and blurred vision. If any of these symptoms appear, the worker should be moved to a shaded, well-ventilated area and provided with water. If symptoms do not improve, emergency services should be contacted right away.
Dr Muna affirmed that the measures adopted by the authorities in Oman reflect advanced public health awareness. She stressed the importance of cooperation between employers and health agencies to mitigate the risks of heat stress and ensure the safety of the workforce.
Through this campaign, the Ministry of Health calls on all public and private institutions to comply with the recommendations and conduct ongoing awareness efforts, especially during the summer months when heat stress cases are more common.
In this context, the Ministry of Health (MoH), has launched an awareness initiative titled 'Safe Summer', aimed at raising awareness among employers and workers about the dangers of heat stress and ways to prevent it.
This initiative reflects the commitment of the concerned authorities to safeguard the health and safety of workers. As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Health issued a set of general recommendations that employers must adhere to in order to reduce the risk of heat stress. These include implementing smart work schedules by assigning strenuous tasks during the early morning or late afternoon hours, and prohibiting outdoor work during peak heat periods specifically from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm during the months of June, July and August.
Authorities also emphasised the importance of providing regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Rest periods should last between 45 to 60 minutes when working in a hot environment. Additionally, workers should have access to drinking water and hydration materials to help maintain body hydration and replace lost fluids.
In terms of improving the working environment, the recommendations stress the use of air conditioning or fans in indoor workspaces, as well as portable fans and umbrellas in outdoor areas, to help reduce surrounding temperatures.
The campaign also underscores the importance of increasing awareness through training workers to recognise the signs of heat stress and respond appropriately. Educational materials including posters, brochures and short videos should be available at worksites. Furthermore, employers are advised to monitor daily temperature and humidity levels and to identify high-risk groups such as individuals with diabetes, heart conditions, or those taking diuretics, giving them priority in protective measures.
HEAT STRESS
To better understand the health impacts of heat stress, the Observer spoke to Dr Muna Mohammed, an Emergency Medicine Specialist, who emphasised that heat stress is not limited to fatigue or exhaustion it can escalate into severe conditions such as heatstroke, which may lead to unconsciousness or organ failure if not treated immediately.
She added that it is crucial for workers to recognise early warning signs such as excessive sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps and blurred vision. If any of these symptoms appear, the worker should be moved to a shaded, well-ventilated area and provided with water. If symptoms do not improve, emergency services should be contacted right away.
Dr Muna affirmed that the measures adopted by the authorities in Oman reflect advanced public health awareness. She stressed the importance of cooperation between employers and health agencies to mitigate the risks of heat stress and ensure the safety of the workforce.
Through this campaign, the Ministry of Health calls on all public and private institutions to comply with the recommendations and conduct ongoing awareness efforts, especially during the summer months when heat stress cases are more common.