Centre issues advisory to protect workers against heat waves

A scene during a hot summer day, in New Delhi

At time when soaring temperatures have left manufacturers in a worry over possible output slowdown, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has advised all States and UTs to ensure effective measures to reduce the impact of extreme heat waves on workers and labourers engaged in different sectors.

In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries and administrators of all States and UTs, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, emphasised over the need to issue directions to the occupiers/employers/construction companies/industries to undertake necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heatwave on workers and labourers, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

“The letter recommended for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach listing out various steps including rescheduling of working hours, ensuring adequate drinking water facilities, ventilation and cooling of work places, rest areas, conducting regular health check-ups for workers and providing emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention materials to construction workers etc, said the Ministry in a statement.

Instructions to be issued

The letter also advised for instructions to be issued to mine and factory managements to allow slower work pace, flexible schedules, two-person crews during extreme heat, proper ventilation in underground mines, the statement read.

In addition to factories and mines, it stressed upon special attention to be given for construction and brick kiln workers and the need for widespread dissemination of information to workers about ways to protect themselves from extreme heat conditions through awareness camps, posters and banners at labour chowks.

The Ministry has also issued instructions to its organisations to conduct awareness sessions and to include specific modules in their training programmes focusing on educating workers about causes and impact of heat wave, recognising heat stress, preventive strategies and ways to mitigate adverse effects of heatwave.

According to the Ministry, hospitals and dispensaries under DGLW and ESIC have also been asked to set up dedicated desks to take care of heat stroke cases and ensure adequate supply of ORS, ice packs and other heat illness prevention material.

Published on April 22, 2025

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