The 2023 global heatwave was one of the worst recorded in history. As the global temperature continues to increase, so do workplace incidents triggered by heatwave.[1] Many workplaces across different countries have reported and continue to report incidents of heat strokes, injury, and even death.[2] While most heatwave-induced deaths seem to be predominantly among elderly people,[3] construction workers of younger ages are also known to have succumbed to the heatwave.[4]

Mideast Ban on Midday Construction Works

As a response to the 2023 recent heatwaves, many countries in the Middle East reintroduced bans on midday deployments for construction site workers. Ban on midday construction works itself is not a novelty in the Mideast where daytime and nighttime temperatures are polar opposite to each other. UAE’s 2023 ban was the 19th in the Emirates’ history[5] while Saudi Arabia had implemented it on ad hoc basis since 2011.[6] The two nations’ smaller neighbour Bahrain has enforced the ban annually since 2007.[7] Authorities in Bahrain and UAE claimed stellar compliance with the midday ban by business; 99.92% for Bahrain in 2023[8] and 99% for UAE in 2022.[9] Furthermore, the two countries also noted the causal relationship between the ban and reduction in heatstroke incidents; Bahrain Health Ministry noticed 50% decrease of heatwave-related incidents between 2006 and 2007, the year when the ban began to take effect.[10] This year, authorities in the United Arab Emirates claimed significant reduction in heatwave-related incidents, although they did not detail the figures.[11]

As conversations and interventions around ESG continue to be siloed, these events are a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of people and planet issues. The midday ban is but a band aid and we must keep our eyes on the prize – a healthy and sustainable planet and people.