NEW DELHI — With temperatures soaring across the country, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has issued a nationwide advisory to States and Union Territories to implement immediate protective measures for laborers and outdoor workers. The directive calls for a multi-sectoral approach to mitigate the risks of extreme heat and prevent heat-related illnesses.
Key Safety Directives for Employers
The Ministry has outlined several mandatory steps for industries, construction firms, and mine managements:
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Flexible Scheduling: Re-scheduling working hours to avoid peak heat periods.
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Hydration & Cooling: Providing mandatory drinking water, dedicated rest areas, and cooling facilities at job sites.
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Emergency Kits: Provisioning ice packs and heat-illness prevention materials, particularly for construction and labor-intensive sectors.
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Workplace Flexibility: Encouraging a slower pace of work during peak heat and implementing “two-person crews” for unavoidable continuous tasks.
Institutional Response & Monitoring
To ensure these measures are effective, the Ministry has mobilized several key agencies:
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ESIC & DGLW: Hospitals and dispensaries must set up heat stroke help desks and maintain stocks of ORS and ice packs.
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CLC & DGMS: Enforcement agencies will monitor compliance with legal safety provisions, including ventilation and periodic health check-ups.
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Awareness Campaigns: Training programs led by the National Board for Workers’ Education will focus on recognizing heat stress symptoms and emergency first-aid.
The Mandate: All organizations are required to submit fortnightly status reports on their mitigation activities. The Ministry emphasized that timely preventive action is non-negotiable to safeguard the health and productivity of India’s workforce during the 2026 summer season.
