Latest news with #MinistryofLabour
Muscat Daily
4 hours ago
- General
- Muscat Daily
Midday work ban takes effect across outdoor sites
Muscat – The Ministry of Labour has announced the enforcement of its annual midday work ban at construction sites and other outdoor workplaces exposed to extreme heat. Effective from June 1, the ban will be in place daily from 12:30pm to 3:30pm through the months of June, July, and August. The regulation is aimed at protecting workers from the risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures during peak summer. The directive is in line with Article 16, Clause 3 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation, which mandates safeguards in hazardous working environments. The ministry has urged all employers to adhere strictly to the rule, warning that any violations will attract fines ranging from RO500 to RO1,000. Officials stressed that ensuring the health and safety of workers is a shared responsibility and a legal obligation under national labour laws.
Observer
18 hours ago
- Observer
Midday break effective today
The Ministry of Labour has urged all employers to strictly adhere to the midday break, which is effective from today, June 1, in line with Article 16, Clause 2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations. The Ministry has reiterated that it is prohibited to employ workers at construction sites or in areas exposed to high temperatures from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm during the months of June, July and August. Earlier, the Ministry launched the 'Safe Summer' campaign to educate both employers and employees on the importance of taking a break from the summer heat for their health and safety through its Occupational Safety and Health Department. "Every year, it is prohibited to employ workers outside shaded areas or in places directly exposed to the sun from June 1 to August 31 when temperatures rise to high levels. Stringent measures will be taken against violators of the midday break rule to ensure its implementation at all outdoor work premises", a Ministry spokesperson said. According to Section 118 of the Labour Law, anyone who violates the midday break law shall be punished with a fine ranging from RO 100 to 500 or imprisonment of up to one month, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense. Last year, several companies were punished for Labour Law violations; and fines and legal proceedings were initiated against companies that did not fully adhere to the three-month noon break. The Ministry has urged all construction, facilities management, maintenance and other sites where people work in open areas to allow labourers a break from work between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm during the three months as per ministerial orders. Heat stress is a common issue in Oman, especially during the summer months when temperatures rise significantly. The Ministry further calls on all private sector establishments to cooperate and adhere to the regulation, emphasising that the campaign is part of its broader efforts to enhance a safe work environment and reduce heat-related injuries.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Stoney Creek steel company fined $200,000 in 2022 worker death
A Stoney Creek steel company has been fined $200,000 after a worker was fatally struck by a forklift in April 2022. Janco Steel Ltd., a steel processing company located on Arvin Avenue, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the forklift was directed by a signaller when its operator did not have a clear view while moving around the facility, according to a media release from the Ministry of Labour. As previously reported by The Spectator, emergency services were called to the facility for an industrial rescue after a worker had been struck by a forklift and suffered critical injuries on the morning of April 26, 2022. The worker — a 36-year-old man — was transported to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, but died of his injuries soon after. While few details were originally released, the latest media release from the province sheds new light on what happened inside the facility, which processes steel products, including slit-to-width large coils. That day, a worker employed by Janco was fatally struck by a forklift operating inside of the plant. The worker was operating an overhead crane, which was moving a large steel coil from a transport truck to a weight scale. While the worker was looking up at the load, he walked backwards into an 'interior driveway' where the forklift was travelling, the ministry said. The operator of the forklift did not see the worker and could not see the area in front of the coil that was being moved, according to the release. A police officer stands at the scene of a workplace fatality at Janco Steel in Stoney Creek on April 26, 2022. At the time of the incident, the forklift operator was driving roughly two to three kilometres per hour and stopped the vehicle when another worker yelled out. However, the forklift had already hit the operator of the crane. An investigation by the ministry found that Janco had violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which requires a signaller to direct any operator of material handling equipment, such a forklift, who does not have a full view of its intended path of travel. Janco pleaded guilty to one charge under the OHSA in early April. The company will also have to pay a 25 per cent victim surcharge. The Spectator reached out to Janco for comment Friday afternoon, but did not immediately hear back. The April 2022 incident marks at least the second time the Stoney Creek steel processor has pleaded guilty in the death of one of its workers. Janco was previously fined $150,000 for the death of one of its workers who was fatally injured in 2016. The company pleaded guilty in May 2018 to failing to ensure that regulated measures and procedures under OHSA were followed. A worker was killed on July 21, 2016, after coils were not properly secured by a hold-down arm, causing one of the cut coils to fall and crush him. Provincial regulations require that materials, such as those produced at Janco, be lifted, carried or moved so as not to endanger the safety of any worker. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Safe and Healthy Summer awareness programme
His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, opened the 'Safe and Healthy Summer' awareness programme, held at the Alba Club in cooperation with the Bahrain Health and Safety Society, the ILO, and the IOM. The initiative aims to raise awareness among workers about protection from summer-related health risks and occupational injuries through coordinated events, workplace health checks, and preventive guidance.
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman Career Fair... in line with labour market needs
MUSCAT: The youth participated actively in the Oman Career Fair, which was held on May 28 and 29 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair promoted talent, in line with Oman Vision 2040 and provided valuable insights into market needs and career development prospects for youth in the vocational sector. The career fair is the most important event for training and qualifying Omani talent to meet the changing demands of the labour market. The exhibition also provided a platform that brings together the best initiatives, latest strategies and trends in the field of development and training, with broad participation from government agencies and leading companies, to provide valuable insights into market needs and career development prospects. The Ministry of Labour said that its participation, represented by vocational colleges, in the Oman Career Fair, was held under the auspices of Jokha bint Abdullah al Shukaili, CEO of the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education, and with broad participation from government agencies and leading companies. The fair aims to enhance communication between institutions and Omani youth and provide them with practical skills required in the changing labour market. Alaa al Balushi, a student from Vocational College, said: "The career fair provides a unique platform for developing Omani talent. It is a great opportunity to enhance skills, develop capabilities and enhance efficiency in the field of vocational training. It increases awareness of vocational education and training, which contributes to skill development and the acquisition of relevant expertise and skills for the labour market." The fair provided a comprehensive platform and brought together institutions, organisations and Omani youth to enhance communication, showcase competencies and exchange experiences on employment challenges in Oman and ways to overcome them. It focused on providing vocational training and capacity building programmes. This is in addition to providing participants with opportunities to learn practical skills required in the labour market.
