A month or a little more ago from now, the bitter cold pressed on the mood of the Jordanians and reduced their activity and movement, prompting many to pray to God to hasten the summer days that suddenly entered the hottest temperatures. No wonder we are talking about the end of the month of July to solve the diseases of the problem of stress. Thermal or what is called “sunstroke” replaces diseases caused by extreme cold.
Specialists link the sudden and extreme change in temperature with the phenomenon of climate change and its consequences for human health, calling for the harmonization of legislation with climatic developments, while the competent authorities take the initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of exposure to direct sunlight.

However, there are those whose profession requires working under the sun in open spaces, which may cause what is scientifically and medically called “heat stress” or “sunstroke” and its health repercussions, which requires adherence to the application of public safety instructions that the Ministry stresses on every occasion.

Specialists explained to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that “sunstroke” or “heat exhaustion” may in some cases be a cause of death if its causes are not remedied by means of prevention, such as resting whenever necessary and drinking fluids regularly, stressing the importance of taking measures to ensure a work environment. Safe under high temperatures, such as constantly monitoring temperatures, increasing rest periods, and cooling the place.
Doctor Anas Sobh confirms that “sunstroke” is a disease that results from direct exposure to heat for long periods of time, which leads to a rise in the internal body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, and the emergence of symptoms that may be life-threatening if it is not quickly remedied.
He pointed out that this condition results in confusion, nervousness, delirium, and a change in mental state or behavior, in addition to excessive sweating or dehydration.
He added that the symptoms of “sunstroke” include nausea, vomiting in some cases, redness of the skin, rapid breathing, high heart rate, and severe headaches.

Director of the Tamkeen Association for Legal Aid and Human Rights, Linda Kalash, stressed the importance of creating legislation related to climate change to protect workers from its negative effects, and developing occupational health and safety policies and systems, so as to cover all the risks posed by the repercussions of this phenomenon, which guarantees the safety of workers and does not endanger their lives.
She indicated that the effects of climate change on Jordan and changes in temperature affect all sectors, especially the agricultural sector, pointing out that climate change will affect workers, especially women, who make up a high percentage of workers in agriculture, as well as men who work in the construction sector.

Kalash called for strengthening the standards and conditions of decent work in a way that guarantees adaptation to the variables imposed by climate change, and ensures that workers achieve a decent work environment, and develop occupational health and safety policies and systems, to cover all risks posed by the repercussions of climate change, in a manner that preserves their safety and does not endanger their lives. risk.
She also pointed out the importance of developing the social protection system and upgrading social insurance in a way that keeps pace with the just transition phase to face the challenges of climate change.
Industrial health consultant Saleh Badr stressed that the protection of workers in the summer, especially those who work in open spaces under direct sunlight, is a legal and ethical issue to preserve their health and safety, and to ensure the efficiency of their productivity.
He pointed out the necessity of concerted efforts to provide a safe and healthy work environment that promotes awareness about heat diseases and their prevention in various labor sectors, especially in light of the unprecedented climate change that strikes the globe.
He pointed to a number of procedures that must be followed to reduce heat diseases resulting from high temperatures, such as wearing light and comfortable clothes made of fabrics that allow ventilation of the body, and wearing wide hats to protect the face and head from direct sunlight.
Badr advised drinking fluids regularly and not waiting to feel thirsty in order to keep the body hydrated and avoiding drinks that cause fluid loss from the body, such as stimulants.
He called for adjusting regular rest periods for workers to get rid of fatigue and stress resulting from extreme heat, advising dividing arduous tasks into short periods, avoiding intense work, securing a shaded place for rest, and providing good ventilation in the workplace.
He urged the use of sunscreen creams, pointing out the need for employers to constantly monitor temperature and humidity and take necessary measures to protect workers when needed.
In a statement issued earlier this month, the Jordanian Center for Labor Rights called on the Workers’ House to protect workers from the dangers of the heat wave, and not to be exposed to heat stress during days that record a significant rise in temperatures in various regions of the Kingdom.
He emphasized that the Labor Law entrusted the employer with the responsibility to provide the necessary precautions and measures to protect workers from the dangers of work during extreme heat waves.
He explained that exposure to heat stress may pose a threat to life, and if its signs are noticed, first aid measures must be taken, and the injured worker should be moved to a cooler area, cooled with water or ice, drink water, and unnecessary clothes removed from him.

The statement indicated that with the issuance of the Agricultural Workers Regulation in 2021, the Minister of Labor could specify the working hours during which it is prohibited to employ agricultural workers in exceptional weather conditions, pursuant to Article 4 thereof, and the instructions for occupational safety and health conditions in agricultural work that were issued under this system were clear from Where the employer is obligated to take procedures and measures to prevent the risks resulting from high temperatures.
-(Petra)