As a continuation of several initiatives to keep people safe during summer months and prevent heat related illness, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) issued several safety measures and precautions yesterday.
The Ministry of Labour has already implemented awareness campaigns on the dangers of heat stress during working hours, insisting on the necessary precautions to protect workers from the dangers of heat stress during summer.
QMD predicted today’s weather to be hot and humid with temperatures reaching a maximum of 41 degrees Celsius at Abusamra and 39 degrees Celsius in Doha. In a video posted on Twitter, QMD cautioned that health problems can occur during high levels of humidity in the air caused by rising temperatures in the summer.
QMD has also shared ways to protect oneself from the danger of heat exposure outdoors and indoors. It advised the public to avoid exposure to direct sunlight, and sports activities in humid climates. Taking fluids and staying in places with good ventilation are some of the steps to ensure safety during hot weather conditions.
As temperatures and humidity rise during the summer, MoPH has highlighted several measures to prevent heat illness at work.
Through its social media accounts, the Ministry has urged people to prevent health illnesses at work, saying outdoor and indoor heat exposure could be dangerous.
The Ministry also shared first aid steps and signs of a medical emergency for heat illness. The signs of a medical emergency include abnormal thinking or behaviour, slurred speech, seizures and loss of consciousness.
It said during an emergency situation due to health related illness, people should call 999 immediately, cool the worker right away with water or ice, stay with the worker until help arrives.
“Watch for any other signs of heat illness and act quickly, when in doubt call 999.
“If a worker experiences, headache or nausea, weakness or dizziness, heavy sweating or hot, dry skin, elevated body temperature, thirst, decreased urine output. Give them, water to drink; remove unnecessary clothing; move to cooler area; cool with water, ice or a fan; do not leave alone, and seek medical care if needed,” it added.
Ministerial Resolution No. 17 of 2021, effective from June 1, 2022 until September 15, 2022, prohibits work in open outdoors and shaded places that are not equipped with appropriate ventilation between 10am and 3:30pm.
Also in line with the Ministerial resolution, it has been mandated that delivery riders must use only cars from 10am to 3:30pm to ensure their wellbeing during the hot summer months.