The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will begin enforcing its midday outdoor work ban tomorrow, for the 22nd consecutive year, continuing until 15 September, as part of a comprehensive national framework aimed at protecting workers from heat stress risks during the summer months and enhancing occupational health and safety standards in the workplace.
The policy prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open areas daily from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., as part of a sustainable humanitarian approach adopted by the United Arab Emirates in regulating the labour market — one that balances productivity requirements with the protection of workers' health and safety, and reinforces the country's standing as a leading global destination for living, working, and investment.
The policy takes into account the need to ensure continuity of work connected to the public interest or that is technically unable to stop, exempting work that cannot be carried out or completed outside the ban period, such as asphalt paving and concrete pouring when deferral is not possible.
Exemptions also cover emergency work required to avert hazards or repair faults affecting essential services and community life, such as water or electricity line outages or traffic disruptions, as well as work requiring special permits from the competent government authorities due to its impact on general movement.
The 'Worker Heat Stress Protection Policy' obliges companies to provide a safe working environment during the enforcement period by equipping shaded areas for workers during rest periods or while carrying out exempted work, ensuring adequate cooling means such as fans, providing sufficient quantities of water and hydration materials approved by the relevant authorities, and making first-aid equipment available at work sites.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation operates an integrated regulatory system to ensure compliance through smart inspection tools and field rounds, in parallel with awareness campaigns aimed at reinforcing understanding of the importance of adhering to the decision and its impact on protecting workers' health and safety.
The Ministry also provides multiple channels for receiving reports of any violations or negative practices, via the call centre at 600590000, as well as through the Ministry's website and smart application.
Coinciding with the start of the ban, doctors and specialists have warned of the risks of direct sun exposure during peak hours, stressing that prevention represents the first line of defence in reducing cases of heat stress and sunstroke, as well as minimising skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
Dr Sara Khalil, a dermatologist and aesthetic physician, said that repeated sun exposure without adequate protection does not merely cause temporary sunburn, but leads to cumulative damage affecting the skin's health and appearance as ultraviolet rays penetrate skin layers and cause cellular damage.
She noted that dermatology clinics see a marked increase during summer in cases of sunburn, pigmentation, and heat stress, along with the worsening of certain skin conditions related to sun sensitivity, adding that chronic UV exposure accelerates the appearance of premature wrinkles, skin sagging, and loss of skin radiance.
She warned against the belief that people with darker skin tones are less susceptible to the effects of the sun, stressing that all skin types are vulnerable to varying degrees and that protection is necessary for everyone without exception.
She also emphasised the importance of not ignoring any change in moles, the appearance of new or abnormal spots, or rough and scaly skin areas that do not heal.
She advised the use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high protection factor, reapplied regularly, in addition to wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours.
Dr Parul Thakur, a consultant in dermatology and venereology, said that both types of ultraviolet rays — UVA and UVB — can cause cellular damage from prolonged or unprotected exposure, noting that the most prominent associated problems include sunburn, photoaging, skin pigmentation, and sun sensitivity, which may manifest as a rash or itching.
She added that chronic sun exposure can lead to actinic keratosis — rough, scaly patches considered precancerous conditions — which must not be neglected and require a doctor's consultation upon appearance.
She explained that unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays is one of the primary factors associated with skin cancer in its various forms, particularly if skin changes are not detected at an early stage.
She stressed the necessity of applying sunscreen daily and reapplying it every 2 hours when outdoors, alongside wearing protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses, and avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours.
Dr Rasha Qasim, a dermatology specialist, said that sunlight, despite its vital role in stimulating vitamin D production, can become a harmful factor when exposure is excessive or without adequate protection, explaining that the resulting damage is cumulative and manifests gradually in the form of chronic pigmentation, premature wrinkles, and changes in skin texture and appearance.
She added that skin changes begin at the cellular level from the earliest stages of excessive ultraviolet exposure, leading to increased oxidative stress and damage to the skin's supporting fibres, thereby accelerating the loss of elasticity and the appearance of fine lines and dark spots, particularly in the face, neck, and hands — the areas most exposed to the sun.
She noted that patients with melasma, skin pigmentation disorders, and acne are among those most affected by sun exposure, as unprotected exposure can worsen their condition and prolong treatment periods, while certain chronic skin diseases such as cutaneous lupus erythematosus and photosensitivity may also deteriorate in individuals prone to these conditions.