NewKerala.com

Odisha Bans Midday Work for Labourers During Summer Heatwave

The Odisha government has issued a summer advisory to protect labourers from heatstroke as temperatures rise. The guidelines, effective from April 1 to June 15, prohibit employers from engaging workers in outdoor labour between 11 AM and 3 PM. Essential services requiring work during these hours must provide cool drinking water, shaded rest areas, and ORS packets. Medical officers across the state have been put on alert to handle heat-related illnesses promptly.

Key Points: Odisha Heatwave Guidelines: No Work from 11 AM to 3 PM

  • Ban on work during peak heat
  • Mandatory water & shaded rest areas
  • Guidelines effective April 1-June 15
  • ORS & medical alertness
2 min read

Odisha govt issues heatwave guidelines to protect labourers

Odisha govt issues summer guidelines banning outdoor labour from 11 AM to 3 PM from April 1 to June 15 to prevent heatstroke casualties.

"employers have been directed to avoid engaging workers in any form of labour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. - Odisha Labour Dept"

Bhubaneswar, March 23

The Odisha government on Monday issued a set of advisories to prevent heatstroke-related casualties among labourers in the state in view of rising temperatures, as the summer season sets in with a sharp increase in daytime heat.

Anticipating severe weather conditions in April and beyond, the Labour and Employees' State Insurance Department has rolled out a series of preventive measures aimed at safeguarding workers, particularly those engaged in outdoor activities.

According to the guidelines, the measures will remain in force from April 1 to June 15. During this period, employers have been directed to avoid engaging workers in any form of labour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., which is considered the peak heat window.

The advisory has been issued to all departments of the state government, as well as Central government offices operating in Odisha, in addition to private employers, industrial units, commercial establishments, shop owners, and contractors.

Authorities have stressed the need to adjust work schedules to ensure that labourers are not exposed to extreme heat during the most intense hours of the day.

In cases where work is unavoidable due to the nature of essential services or urgent requirements, employers have been instructed to adopt adequate precautionary measures to minimise health risks.

These measures include ensuring the availability of safe and cool drinking water at worksites, provision of shaded rest areas, access to basic medical facilities, and distribution of oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets to workers.

The move aims to reduce instances of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Additionally, Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs), Sub-Divisional Medical Officers (SDMOs), and medical personnel across Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Employees' State Insurance hospitals have been asked to remain alert and prepared to handle heat-related illnesses and ensure timely treatment for affected individuals.

The government's proactive approach comes amid rising concerns over the impact of extreme weather conditions on vulnerable populations, especially daily wage earners and outdoor workers.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Guidelines are good, but implementation is key. Will there be surprise checks at construction sites and brick kilns? Contractors often ignore such rules to meet deadlines. The government must ensure strict penalties for violations.
R
Rohit P
Providing ORS and cool drinking water is basic humanity. It's sad that we need an advisory for this. Still, better late than never. The real test will be in remote project sites where oversight is minimal.
A
Anjali F
As someone from Odisha, I've seen how harsh the summers can be. This proactive move is commendable. Hope they also run awareness campaigns in local languages so every labourer knows their rights.
M
Michael C
Respectful criticism: While the guidelines are comprehensive on paper, what about compensation for lost wages during the restricted hours? A daily wage worker skipping 4 hours of work faces a huge income cut. The policy should address that.
K
Karthik V
Good initiative! But this should be a nationwide policy, especially for states like Rajasthan, UP, and Telangana where temperatures cross 45°C. The central government should issue a model framework.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50