Amid rising temperatures and growing concerns over extreme heatwave conditions across the country, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of all States and Union Territories, urging them to implement effective measures to protect workers and labourers from heat-related health risks.
In the advisory issued on Tuesday, the Secretary of the Ministry highlighted the importance of immediate and coordinated action by employers, industries, and local administrations. The letter calls for a multi-sectoral approach to mitigate the adverse impact of heatwaves, especially on workers engaged in construction, mining, factories, brick kilns, and other outdoor-intensive sectors.
Key recommendations include rescheduling working hours to cooler parts of the day, providing adequate drinking water, ensuring ventilation and cooling at workplaces, setting up shaded rest areas, and conducting regular health check-ups. Employers have also been advised to supply emergency ice packs and distribute heat illness prevention materials to labourers.
Specific instructions have been given to mine and factory managements to implement heat-sensitive measures such as slower work pace, flexible scheduling, two-person crews during high heat periods, and improved ventilation—particularly in underground mines.
The Ministry also emphasized the need for widespread awareness campaigns to educate workers on how to protect themselves during extreme heat conditions. This includes organising camps, displaying informative posters and banners at labour chowks, and ensuring that vulnerable groups such as construction and brick kiln workers are not overlooked.
Furthermore, central labour organisations like DGLW, CLC, DTNBWED, VVGNLI, DGFASLI, DGMS, and ESIC have been instructed to conduct awareness sessions and integrate heatwave preparedness modules into their training programmes. These sessions will cover the causes and symptoms of heat stress, preventive strategies, and emergency response methods.
To bolster healthcare support, hospitals and dispensaries under DGLW and ESIC have been directed to establish dedicated help desks for heatstroke cases, and to ensure the availability of ORS, ice packs, and other necessary medical supplies.
