People who work in the industrial and construction sectors are not allowed to work during the hottest hours of the day in the summer. Employers are mandated to provide their workers with safety gear and appropriate clothing to protect them against injuries and harm. The employees are also required to undergo a medical examination to detect any occupational disease they may have contracted.
Provisions for safety and health of workers
- The employer is mandated to provide the workers with adequate protective means against hazards of occupational injuries and harm that may occur during the work. The employer is also mandated to protect the employees against fire and other hazards resulting from the use of machines and other work tools.
- The employer is required to adopt all safety measures set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the employee is mandated to use all gear and clothing supplied thereto for such purpose.
- The employer is mandated to display detailed instructions related to the measures taken for the prevention of fire and the protection of employees from any danger that working may expose them to. These instructions must be in Arabic and in another language that the employee understands.
- All employers are mandated to provide one or more first aid boxes containing medicines, bandages, antiseptics and other first-aid materials set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
- The employer is required to entrust one or more physicians with the total examination of the workers.
To learn more, visit the official website.
Insurance
In Dubai and Abu-Dhabi, employers in the private and public sectors are mandated to provide insurance to their employees. However, in some other Emirates like Ajman and Sharjah, government employers are mandated to provide insurance to their workers.
Medical Check-up
Employers are required to assign at least one doctor to examine the workers who are exposed to the possibility of contracting a disease associated with their jobs at least once every six months. The results of these examinations must be recorded on the files of the employees.
Mid-day break rule for workers under the sun
Workers in the industrial and construction sectors are not allowed to work during the hottest hours of the day in the summer. A company discovered to have staff working during the designated break would be fined AED 5,000 per employee up to a maximum amount of AED 50,000.
Prohibition of alcohol on work premises
An employer is not allowed to bring or allow any other person to bring any type of alcoholic drink on the work premises.
In case of an injury or death in the workplace
The amount of compensation to be paid is calculated based on the amount paid to the worker before his death. The compensation for death in the workplace is equal to the wage of the worker for 24 months. However, the amount of compensation must not be more than AED 35,000 or less than AED 18,000.
Working in remote areas
Employers who employ staff to work in remote areas that are not easily accessible by a public means of transportation must provide their employees with:
- Suitable transportation
- Suitable drinking water
- First aid services
- Means of entertainment and sport activities
- Suitable food
- Suitable accommodation
The above services must be paid for by the employer.
Protection against injuries
Employers must provide their employees with adequate means of protection against injuries and harm that may occur from the use of machines and work equipment. Employers are mandated to display detailed instructions regarding the means of preventing fire and the ways in which employees can protect themselves against dangers in a permanent and visible place at the worksite. These instructions must be shown in Arabic and another language that the worker understands.
