241 firms found in violation of midday work ban

NECESSARY MEASURES: Oil and gas workers as well as maintenance workers who do emergency duty have been exempted from the regulation, providing that measures must be taken to protect them from the hazards of scorching sun. (SPA)

RIYADH: The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has detected 258 violations relating to midday work ban as inspectors were on patrol to a number of establishments from June 15 to July 12, 2016. Khaled Abalkhail, spokesman for the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, said a total of 241 establishments failed to comply with the rule that bans working under the sun, clarifying that the inspection department has uncovered 258 violations committed during 27 days since its coming into force.
Abalkhail emphasized that the ministry has pledged to enforce the ban so as to ensure the safety and health of workers engaging in outdoor activities as well as provide a secure working environment that follows occupational safety and health standards and curbs the causes of danger.
The ministerial decision No.3337 dated 15/7/1435, prohibits “allowing the employee to work under the direct sun from 12 noon to 3 p.m. between 15th June to 15th September that occur every Gregorian calendar.”
According to the ministry, the oil and gas workers as well as maintenance workers who do emergency duty have been exempted from the regulation, providing that measures must be taken to protect them from the hazards of scorching sun.
The exemption has been restricted to some parts of the Kingdom due to fluctuating temperatures since some cities and rural areas do not deal with extremely hot weather, which does not require such suspension of work during the mentioned duration, explained Abalkhail.
The directors-general of the ministry’s branches have been notified to coordinate with governorates in some regions of the Kingdom in regard to enforce the ban, he said further.
Meanwhile, he said such a move is in a bid to define to what extent interdiction should be enforced in work as the climatic conditions and heatwaves of each province is accordingly varied.

Abalkhail urged employers to abide by the midday work ban in the light of the ministry’s unswerving efforts to maintain a proper working environment against diverse dangers as well as implement protection measures to limit work injuries and accidents, leading to the improvement of production levels.
The ministry has called upon Saudi citizens and residents to file an inquiry or a complaint regarding the decision by contacting its customer service no. at 19911 or visiting the ‘Rasd’ website at http://rasd.ma3an.gov.sa/.