SCH: Firms flouting on-site shelter rules

By Noimot Olayiwola
The Supreme Council of Health has highlighted the need for providing on-site shelter for people working outdoors as scorching weather conditions have coincided with the fasting month of Ramadan this year. The council said  a number of construction companies have been flouting the rules, causing health problems to their  employees.
Earlier in June, the SCH  launched national Heat Stress Guidelines and Recommendations to be followed by all companies throughout summer.
Apart from ensuring safety of workers and being on the look-out for signs of heat illnesses in them during work time, part of the recommendations listed in the guidelines was also providing cool and well-ventilated shading and rest place for outdoor workers. 
Although, it has become a common sight to see labourers sitting or squatting in the open sun during work hour, apparently taking rest in-between, the fact that some of the workers could be observing Ramadan fast has made it compelling to draw attention to their plight once again.
Moreover, a Qatari scholar at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, had said it was prohibited for Muslim workers not to observe their Ramadan fast only due to the high temperature saying working outdoors in hot weather is “not enough reason” for workers to break their fast during Ramadan. 
“I do not believe that there is a good reason for workers not to observe fasting during the days of Ramadan because of the high temperature as long as they are healthy,” Sheikh Ahmed al-Buainian had told Gulf Times. 
Despite the Labour Ministry’s ban on outdoor work during the hottest midday hours in summer and working hours being reduced to six during Ramadan, workers still deserve some compassionate treatment by their companies. 
Yesterday, some outdoor workers, especially those working on roads reconstruction, were seen obviously during their break time, lying on the ground under direct sunlight while some were seen taking refugee under the shade of a tree, probably waiting to be picked up to their accommodations.
However, some concerned citizens have called for a closer monitoring of construction sites by the authorities just to ensure they comply with the rules and regulations as well as to see if they are really safeguarding the health of their employees.
Before Ramadan, just by working under very humid condition and high temperature, many workers had fallen victims to heat stroke or exhaustion and earlier, Gulf Times had reported that majority of cases seen at the Hamad Medical Corporation’s Emergency Department are outdoor workers.
A total of 139 cases, comprising 137 males and two females, were treated for various kinds of heat-related illnesses at the emergency last June and cases are expected to rise during August, being the hottest of the summer months and month of Ramadan, emergency consultant Dr Warda Ali al-Saad said.