The government has issued an advisory to all States/UTs and their attached organizations to implement preventive measures against the adverse effects of increasing temperatures and heat waves nationwide. The Ministry of Labour and Employment stressed the importance of a coordinated approach to safeguard workers, especially those in outdoor and labor-intensive sectors. States/UTs are directed to ensure immediate implementation of worker safety measures by issuing necessary instructions to employers, industries, and construction companies.
The advisory includes recommendations such as rescheduling working hours, providing adequate drinking water facilities, creating rest areas, and cooling workplaces. Additionally, measures like emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention materials are suggested for working conditions that require such provisions, such as construction sites. Factory and mine managements are advised to offer flexibility to workers during extreme heat, including slowing down work pace, providing rest areas, and ensuring proper ventilation and cooling arrangements.
Special emphasis is placed on the safety of construction workers, brick kiln workers, daily wage earners, and casual laborers. States/UTs are encouraged to conduct awareness campaigns at labor chowks and public places, displaying posters with heatwave safety messages and emergency contact details. The Directorate General of Training and National Board for Workers’ Education have been tasked with organizing awareness and training programs on heatwave mitigation and management.
All organizations are requested to submit fortnightly status reports on the actions taken and activities carried out for further review and monitoring.
