Abu Dhabi-UAE: June 18, 2017:  Abu Dhabi Ports the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports in UAE, has rolled out the annual UAE Ministry of Labour and Abu Dhabi Occupational Health and Safety Center (OSHAD) “Working Safely in the Heat” campaign across its ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

Abu Dhabi Ports “Working Safely in the Heat” campaign is being held for the fifth year to raise awareness about the risks of working in the heat and assist in preventing heat-related illnesses during the summer months. 

The Abu Dhabi Ports campaign was launched end of May and will run from until 15th September 2017 using the “Safety in the Heat” campaign messages and awareness in collaboration with – OSHAD.

The campaign objectives focus on raising awareness about heat-related illnesses over the summer months amongst Abu Dhabi Ports’ employees and Abu Dhabi ports’ users, especially as the Holy month of Ramadan this year also takes places during the same time. The campaign will highlight to truck drivers visiting the ports and KIZAD the risks associated with heat and how to avoid heat stress. In terms of fasting during summer, the campaign also focuses it attention this year on promoting a well-adjusted healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, good sleep and hygiene as well as hydration for workers during the hottest months of the year. 

It will also help workers and employees identify early signs of heat-related exhaustion amongst their colleagues, to catch any incidents that may occur and provide them with the required initial treatment as early on as possible. It will include site inspection, management walkabout to Abu Dhabi Ports’ workplaces to monitor employee welfare in compliance with the ‘Working Safely in the Heat’ guideline. The assigned team from Abu Dhabi Ports will distribute electrolyte drinks, water bottles and giveaways to the workers to assist them to acclimatise with the hot season.

Commenting on the campaign, Abdulkareem Al Masabi Executive Vice President - Ports, said: “We set our target this year to communicate the campaign messages to 4,000 employees and ports users working in Abu Dhabi Ports and KIZAD, including all contractors, tenants and industrial entities operating within our premises. We hope that this campaign will encourage everyone to stay safe and hydrated and comply with Abu Dhabi Ports and OSHAD’s Health and Safety Guidelines for “Working Safely in the Heat”. Progress will be monitored to achieve Zero Lost Time Incidents resulting from heat-related illnesses. This campaign will ensure that everyone in our ports as well as KIZAD is well aware of early detection signs of symptoms of heat related illnesses and responsibly act for their individual safety and the safety of their co-workers.” 

“The safety of our employees and all those visiting Abu Dhabi Ports is our top priority. The hot summer months can be very dangerous for anyone working outside who is unprepared or unaware of the risks”, he added.