File photo (Ashghal)
Doha, Qatar: Director of Projects Affairs at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Eng. Khalid Saif Al Khayareen affirmed Ashghal's commitment to implementing the ban on work in open areas during the specified period from 10am until 3:30pm from June 1 to September 15 of each year, while monitoring contractors' and consultants' compliance with these procedures.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Eng. Al Khayareen emphasized that Ashghal prioritizes the health and safety of all of its workers throughout the year, particularly those working in open-air locations, in coordination with the Ministry of Labour on the implementation of measures to protect workers from heat stress.
The protection system includes providing shaded and air-conditioned rest areas, cold drinking water, air-conditioned transportation, and personal protective equipment, in addition to intensifying field monitoring and awareness and training programs, in order to ensure the protection of workers’ health and well-being and the continued implementation of projects in accordance with the highest occupational safety and health standards.
Regarding the management of heat stress risks, he explained that Ashghal adopts a proactive approach based on monitoring weather conditions daily, using approved heat stress measurement indicators, and taking measures when needed, including modifying or temporarily halting some work. Eng. Al Khayareen pointed to the implementation of periodic inspection tours and field exercises to ensure the readiness of the teams to deal with any emergency cases related to heat stress.
He stressed that Ashghal is keen to enhance its cooperation and continuous coordination with the Ministry of Labour in implementing legislation and requirements related to protecting workers from heat stress, including the exchange of experiences and best practices, in addition to the supervisory and awareness efforts aimed at consolidating commitment to occupational safety and health procedures.
Eng. Al Khayareen also stressed the importance of awareness and training as a fundamental pillar of prevention, through programs directed at workers, supervisors, and safety teams, familiarizing them with methods of prevention, symptoms of heat stress, and rapid intervention mechanisms, in addition to training on first aid and dealing with emergency cases, which raises the preparedness level in work sites.
He explained that compliance is monitored through an integrated monitoring system, which includes periodic field visits and continuous inspection by health and safety teams in the projects, under the supervision of health and safety officials in each of the departments implementing the projects, and a review of the contractors’ heat stress management plans before the summer season, to ensure that the procedures are implemented on the ground.
Heat stress prevention measures directly contribute to maintaining the health of workers and reducing the risks associated with working in hot climatic conditions, which positively impacts the continuity of work and the quality of project implementation.
Heat stress is a completely preventable risk when appropriate preventive measures and procedures are followed, and Ashghal is keen to reinforce this daily at various project sites to protect the health and safety of workers and promote a safe working environment for all, he added.
Concluding his statement, Eng. Al Khayareen emphasized that the application of these procedures is not limited to compliance with regulatory requirements and conditions only, but represents a real investment in the human element, which is the basic pillar for the success of projects and achieving their goals efficiently and sustainably.
