Measures to reduce sunstroke risk for labourers

Labourers toiling away under the sweltering mid-day sun are a common sight in the UAE.

However, with incidents of heatstroke reportedly on the rise, medical experts warn that preventive measures must be taken to reduce risks for labourers.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) labourers should not be allowed to work when temperatures reach 50 degrees Celsius.

In the UAE, medical experts believe labourers should be given a day off when temperatures rise very high.

Dr Hussain Al Rahma, Head of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, said: "Heatstroke happens when people are exposed to the sun and humid climate for a long time.

"Humid weather is not good because it prevents the body from getting cool. It can also happen to people who take pressure or allergy medicine, because such medicine helps the body lose water and minerals."

He added: "In July, we had 47 cases of heatstroke, and most of them were among labourers. Out of these, we had four UAE nationals suffering from heatstroke because of the nature of their work.

"These cases were really serious, but they did not result in death at the hospital. There were, however, about four deaths outside the hospital."

Dr Al Rahma noted labourers working in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius should take adequate precautions.

"Outdoor workers should wear wet towels on their heads to protect themselves from the heat, and try to take a break at least every 45 minutes. They should also be provided with salt and mineral pills and water to help them cool down," he instructed.

An official from Al Baraha Hospital in Dubai said that she has seen many cases of heatstroke, especially among labourers. On hot summer days, the hospital receives around 15 to 20 patients suffering from heatstroke, she said.

A doctor from Al Mafraq Hospital in Dubai remarked: "We get around six cases of heatstroke per day. Most of them are labourers. We had one death last month because the patient reached the hospital too late."

Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz, Consultant Emergency Medicine at Welcare Hospital in Dubai, commented: "We have not had any cases of sunstroke, but we did receive some patients suffering from heat exhaustion. During the last five weeks, we had around 18 serious cases, but there were no deaths."

A doctor from Saif bin Gubash Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah added: "In July, we had around 40 cases, and some of them were in very serious condition."