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Nigeria: Heat Halts Construction, Puts Workers at Risk
8 Nov
Summary
- Mandatory water breaks for construction workers every 20 minutes.
- Work must pause during hottest afternoon hours to protect workers.
- New safety measures include hydration stations and dust control.
Construction workers in Nigeria face severe health and livelihood risks due to extreme heat. A new safety advisory mandates mandatory 5- to 10-minute water breaks every 20 minutes. Urgent outdoor jobs must pause during the hottest afternoon hours, from noon to 3:30 p.m., to avoid strenuous activities.
Contractors must provide shaded break areas and first aid supplies for heat emergencies. Work schedules are being adjusted, with heavy-duty tasks shifting to early mornings or late afternoons. The advisory also addresses potential income loss for daily wage workers, recommending shift adjustments over outright work stoppages.
Additional safety measures include providing adequate lighting for any work after dark and ensuring workers have appropriate gear. This includes light, high-visibility clothing, helmets with neck coverings, UV-blocking eyewear, and masks for dusty conditions. Dust suppression techniques and a buddy system are also implemented to monitor workers for heat stress symptoms.
Safety officers are tasked with tracking weather forecasts and briefing crews on heat stress prevention and emergency response. Surprise inspections by regulatory bodies will enforce compliance, with potential citations or work stoppages for non-compliant contractors.
