Abu Dhabi Airports initiates heat stress awareness campaign

6th June 2018, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:  Abu Dhabi Airports promotes intensive health and safety measures for the nearing summer season as it commenced its annual ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign. Launched in support of the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety & Health Centre (OSHAD)’ Code of Practice 11.0, the informative campaign aims to boost awareness among staff and contractors on the effects of heat stress and how to safely cope with the extreme weather conditions expected during Ramadan and the succeeding months. 

The program, which takes course until September, features Arabic, English, Urdu and Hindi training sessions across the Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport. The sessions detail important methods on controlling heat stress such as taking more breaks in extreme heat, drinking water frequently to avoid dehydration, being mindful of their own physical condition and that of their co-workers, and wearing light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing instead of non-breathing synthetic fabrics.   

Campaign posters and dehydration awareness charts are displayed in each workplace, providing participants with safety bulletins that outlines mandatory requirements and educational materials needed to recognize and remedy illnesses caused by high temperatures. Heat-relieving gears such as sun hats, water bottles, and hand towels are also distributed throughout the program.

Further equipping employees with the necessary knowledge, the Abu Dhabi Airports’ Environment, Health & Safety team in coordination with the Gulf Center for Aviation Studies (GCAS), the company’s training arm, has carried out heat stress train the Trainor lectures to a selected number of staff and contractors as potential health and safety instructors to drive awareness from department to department and to carry out specific practices required by each team.

Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports said: “Abu Dhabi Airports remains dedicated to following the highest standards in safety complains in order to safeguard our members’ well-being while on the job. Since its launch in 2012, we have continuously enhanced our heat stress campaign and guidelines to ensure that our staff are fully-prepared to adapt to the changing environmental conditions.” 

“Abu Dhabi Airports is committed to upholding the government’s health and safety standards to secure a hazard-free work environment in all of our fields. By being an organization that puts their employees first, we have already enabled a culture that thrives on togetherness, allowing us to deliver world-class services that is established from a joint sense of dedication, loyalty and hard work,” Al Khoori concluded.