In a recent warning, the Ministry of Labour and Employment urged all states and union territories to take immediate action to protect their workers from the worsening heatwave.
Workers in outdoor and labour-intensive industries, including construction, mining, and daily wage jobs, are especially vulnerable, according to a message from the ministry to chief secretaries and administrators that emphasised a coordinated, multi-sectoral strategy to safeguard workers.
Companies and employers are required by law to take precautions immediately, such as shifting work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, ensuring that workers have access to clean water, and establishing shaded spaces with cooling systems.
In addition, the warning suggests that, in conjunction with health departments, individuals be provided with emergency ice packs and resources to prevent heat illness, and to schedule frequent health checks. The operators of factories and mines have been requested to grant workers more leeway to adapt to their working conditions, such as reducing the speed of work during periods of excessive heat and sending in reinforcements when continuous operations cannot be stopped.
Construction workers, brick kiln labourers, and casual workers are particularly at risk of heat stress and have been the subject of special attention.
Public spaces and labour hubs should be the sites of heat safety awareness campaigns, with signage and outreach programs disseminated by the authorities. The National Board for Workers’ Education and the Directorate General of Training will work together on training programs.
Heatwave mitigation measures can be continuously monitored and reviewed with the submission of reports on actions performed by states and organisations every two weeks.
Image Credit: The Hawk
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