Midday outdoor work ban begins on Monday across UAE
The ban runs until September 15, with exemptions only for essential and emergency projects
Dubai: The UAE will begin enforcing its annual midday work ban tomorrow Monday, marking the 22nd consecutive year of a policy designed to protect outdoor workers from extreme summer heat while maintaining critical services through tightly controlled exemptions.
The measure, which runs until September 15, prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air locations between 12:30pm and 3pm each day.
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Introduced as part of the country's occupational health and safety framework, the policy aims to reduce the risks of heat exhaustion, heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses during the Gulf's hottest months.
Authorities said exemptions would remain limited to activities that cannot be postponed or carried out outside the restricted hours, including certain road paving and concrete works.
Emergency repairs affecting essential infrastructure, such as water and electricity networks, as well as projects requiring special government permits due to their impact on public movement, will also be permitted to continue.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said employers must provide shaded rest areas, cooling equipment, drinking water, hydration supplies and first-aid facilities for workers, particularly those involved in exempted operations.
The restrictions come as temperatures across the UAE continue to climb at the onset of summer, with daytime highs frequently exceeding 45°C in many parts of the country and humidity levels adding to the discomfort, particularly in coastal areas.
