Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the master developer of ports and industrial zones in the emirate, is rolling out the annual UAE Ministry of Labour “Beat the Heat” message in ADPC Ports. The Ministry of Labour official regulatory message is designed to raise awareness about – and help prevent – heat-related illnesses for labourers, over the summer months.
Commenting on the campaign, Sultan Al Jaberi, Vice President – Regulations and HSE, ADPC, said:
“ADPC supports the UAE government and the Ministry of Labour’s message. We all recognise that regional summer temperatures can reach very high levels and this clearly makes it a challenging work environment for those working outdoors for prolonged periods. Ensuring the health and safety of those in our ports is of paramount importance in all that we do; therefore, ADPC wholeheartedly backs the government’s efforts and is gladly promoting such activities.”
The campaign will seek to highlight the importance of diet, sleep and hydration, for workers, during the hottest months of the year. It is also intended to help port and Kizad workers to identify the signs of heat-related illness in their colleagues, so as to catch any incidents that may occur and provide them with the required treatment as early on as possible.
The detailed, eight-part plan issued by ADPC includes recommendations for: drinking water before starting work; maintaining a consumption level of at least two litres of water every two to three hours; checking urine colour for signs of dehydration (a pale colour is healthier); adding a little extra salt on meals; getting plenty of sleep at night; eating fruit and vegetables on a daily basis; taking regular breaks; and informing a supervisor if feeling unwell.