In response to the relentless heatwave sweeping across India, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment rolled out comprehensive guidelines on Tuesday. Aimed at shielding millions of workers from heat hazards, the advisory mandates flexible hours, hydration stations, and cooling zones at workplaces nationwide.
Addressed to principal secretaries of states and UTs, the missive highlights the urgent need for a holistic strategy targeting outdoor laborers. Employers in construction, manufacturing, and mining must prioritize safety protocols without delay.
Among the directives: rearrange shifts to dodge midday sun, supply sufficient potable water, and equip sites with rest areas cooled by fans or misters. Emergency provisions like ice bags and medical kits for heatstroke are non-negotiable, alongside routine health screenings.
Management in factories and mines should ease workloads during peak heat—reduce speeds, pair workers for tough jobs, and enhance airflow systems. The guidelines spotlight high-risk workers such as brickfield hands and casual laborers.
Public awareness drives are a cornerstone, with calls for posters and banners at busy labor hubs featuring prevention tips and helplines. This timely intervention arrives as heatwaves claim lives annually, positioning it as a vital bulwark against occupational heat risks in an era of intensifying summers.
