Centre puts states on high alert over heat wave

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has asked all States and UTs to ensure that they are fully prepared to effectively manage the impact of ensuing heat wave conditions on workers and labourers in various sectors such as construction, factories and mining.

The letter from the Centre to all states and union territories sent by Union Labour Secretary Arti Ahuja refers to the seasonal outlook issued by Indian Metrological Department (IMD) for the Hot Weather Season during the current year which indicates above normal maximum temperatures over most parts of North East India, East and Central India and some part of Northwest India.

The temperature has already crossed 40 degrees Celsius in several states including the Delhi-NCR region.

The letter lists out various strategic steps required to be taken which include re-scheduling of working hours for workers, ensuring adequate drinking water facilities at work places, making provision for emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention material to construction workers, coordinating with Health Department to ensure regular health check-up of the workers.

The letter emphasises upon the need to issue directions to employers, construction companies and industries to undertake necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme hot weather.

The letter also impresses upon the need to issue instructions to the Managements of Mines asking them to undertake immediate steps to make provision for rest areas, adequate quantity of cool water and electrolyte supplements near the workplace. Allowing work at slow pace in case the worker feels unwell, allowing rest times and flexible schedules to let workers do the hardest work during the coolest parts of the day with, assigning a two-person crew to perform work during extremely hot temperatures, ensuring proper ventilation in underground mines and making the workers aware of dangers from excessive heat and humidity and remedial measures are some of the other measures suggested.

Apart from factories and mines, the Labour Secretary has also impressed upon the need to pay special attention to construction workers, and brick kiln workers and to carry out adequate information dissemination at the Labour Chowks.