Bhubaneswar, March 24: The Odisha government has issued several guidelines aimed at preventing heat-related fatalities among workers, in response to rising temperatures as summer begins.
With the expectation of extreme heat in April and subsequent months, the Labor and Employees’ State Insurance Department has initiated various preventive measures to ensure the safety of workers, particularly those engaged in outdoor activities.
These guidelines will be in effect from April 1 to June 15. During this period, employers are instructed not to assign any labor to workers between 11 AM and 3 PM.
This advisory has been disseminated to all state government departments, central government offices operating in Odisha, private employers, industrial units, commercial establishments, shop owners, and contractors.
Officials have emphasized the need to adjust work schedules to protect workers from extreme heat during the hottest hours of the day.
If work is unavoidable due to essential services, employers are directed to implement adequate precautionary measures to mitigate health risks.
These measures include providing safe and cool drinking water at workplaces, establishing shaded rest areas, ensuring access to basic medical facilities, and distributing Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets to workers.
The aim of this initiative is to reduce incidents of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Additionally, Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs), Sub-Divisional Medical Officers (SDMOs), and medical personnel at Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Employees’ State Insurance hospitals have been urged to remain vigilant and prepared to address heat-related illnesses and ensure timely treatment for affected individuals.
This proactive approach by the government comes amid growing concerns about the impact of extreme weather conditions on vulnerable populations, particularly daily wage laborers and outdoor workers.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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