Companies to enforce summer mid-day break in Oman

Muscat: Authorities in the Sultanate plan to begin enforcing a newly enacted provision that requires construction firms to introduce mid-day breaks for workers deployed at open worksites during the peak summer months.

The measure is aimed at protecting construction workers from exposure to extreme summer temperatures, linked to cases of heatstroke and other health risks.

The local Observer newspaper quoted a top official of the National Committee for Occupational Health and Safety as saying that an awareness campaign will be launched shortly to educate private firms about the newly introduced measure.

An Occupational Health bylaw that came into force last year prescribes a three-hour mid-afternoon break for workers deployed at outdoor worksites during the peak of summer.

The bylaw requires employers to suspend work at open construction sites from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, during the months of June, July and August.