A TWO-MONTH ban on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day will again come into force this summer.

It will take effect in July and August and means that outdoor work cannot take place between midday and 4pm during those months.

This will be the sixth year the ban has been enforced to protect outdoor workers such as labourers from dehydration, heat stroke and even death.

"The midday break will be enforced from July 1 for outdoor work, especially in the construction sector, considering the hot weather conditions," Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan told the GDN.

This year the ban coincides with Ramadan, but the minister vowed that would not affect worksite inspections.

He added that some firms had embraced the concept to such an extent that they actually applied the rule voluntarily one month early.

"This law has created a culture of safety among employers and employees," said the minister. "We found out that some companies were voluntarily applying the midday break one month ahead of the actual period when it came into effect in July.

"Some even extended the break after the stipulated period because of the humid conditions."

Labour inspectors will be conducting midday patrols at construction sites and can impose fines ranging from BD50 to BD300 for each worker caught working outdoors between midday and 4pm.

Officials have previously complained about a lack of labour inspectors to conduct site visits, but efforts are being made to recruit more.

"We have about 40 labour inspectors and there are plans to recruit additional staff," said Labour Ministry labour inspections manager and trade union director Ahmed Al Hayki. sandy@gdn.com.bh