UAE Warns: Protect Workers in Severe Weather

Heightened Alert for Worker Safety Amid Unstable Weather

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are once again emphasizing that changes in weather not only impact transportation and daily life but can also pose significant risks to workers—particularly those who work outdoors. Due to weather warnings issued for December 18–19, private sector companies are required to assess these risks and ensure the protection of their employees. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued this directive, emphasizing that increased caution is necessary not only during working hours but also when traveling to and from work sites.

Worker Safety is Not Optional

According to the ministry, prevention and proactive measures play a crucial role in helping companies minimize accident risks resulting from poor weather. Specific warnings have been given to companies whose employees work outdoors, such as construction sites, logistics centers, transport, or agricultural areas. In these cases, not only is it necessary to ensure safe working conditions, but it may also be justified to completely suspend work if the weather becomes extreme.

Companies need to review each work process and decide which tasks can be performed safely and which should be postponed. The lives and physical integrity of workers take precedence over all economic considerations—this stance is now both an ethical and legal requirement.

Hazardous Conditions in Several Parts of the Country

In the eastern regions of the Emirates, heavy rains, hail, and lightning were already experienced in the early morning hours. According to forecasts from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), the wet weather will continue in the coming days, with thunderstorms, strong winds, and occasional hail expected in various parts of the country. Due to the fast-changing situation, it is especially important for companies to monitor official weather reports and make decisions based on them.

Dubai Police Warnings for the Public

Dubai police and other security agencies in the country have also spoken on the matter, specifically urging the public to avoid coastal areas, refrain from setting out in stormy weather, avoid sailing, and keep away from valleys, low-lying areas, and flood-prone zones. Floods can develop in these areas in moments, especially if the amount of precipitation increases suddenly.

The police specifically warned courier services, motorcyclists, and delivery drivers who are particularly exposed to the effects of the weather. They are advised to travel only if absolutely necessary, adhere to traffic rules, and follow the instructions of official bodies. Additionally, authorities have re-published emergency contact numbers through which residents can request urgent assistance—this access is especially important in the coming days.

Increased Responsibility for the Private Sector

Unstable weather is not a new phenomenon in the Emirates; however, due to climate change experienced in recent years, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, especially in the winter months. In light of this, employers' responsibility is also increasing. According to the ministry, adhering to occupational safety rules is essential not only legally but also socially, as the safety of workers is fundamental to the sustainability of the entire economic system.

Businesses must also ensure that their employees receive precise information about the expected dangers, available protective equipment, necessary evacuation routes, and procedures that help prevent accidents and health hazards.

Winter Challenges and the Future

The United Arab Emirates has undergone extraordinary development in recent decades, but at the same time, the effects of climate change are increasingly apparent. Although most refer to extreme summer heat, winter weather also poses challenges to the public and economic players. In recent years, there have been occasions of snow in highland areas and rainfalls leading to serious traffic disruptions and material damages.

The increase in such weather events necessitates that all sectors of the country—private companies included—adapt to this new reality. Safety cannot be secondary or campaign-like; it requires a constant, well-designed, and responsible approach.

Summary

The current weather warning not only calls for temporary measures but also indicates that such situations will need to be adapted more frequently in the future. UAE authorities have sent a clear message: preserving human life and health is paramount. However, this requires not only state measures but also active, responsible cooperation from the private sector. When a country sets such clear priorities, it can rightly serve as an example for other nations in terms of occupational safety and sustainable economic operation.

(Based on a statement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre).)