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UAE: 3,000 workers to get free fire safety, CPR training this summer
Several organisations are going the extra mile to help blue-collar workers this summer. They are offering free classes and health campaigns to ensure that these workers have a safe and productive season.
The Rewaq Ousha Institute and Cultural Centre, an educational institution since 1992, has partnered with the British awarding body, the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), to provide free, internationally certified safety training to 3,000 blue-collar workers nationwide.
Meanwhile, a group of doctors called the Association of Kerala Medical and Dental Graduates (AKMG) is set to launch its flagship summer community initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure among outdoor workers during the intense summer months. The Beat the Heat campaign, organised in association with the Consulate General of India in Dubai, will offer practical guidance on preventing heat-related illnesses and promote safer work environments.
Earlier this month, UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) began enforcing a ban on outdoor work under direct sunlight from 12.30pm to 3pm daily for three months to protect workers from the direct sunlight.
Enhancing professional skills
The training curriculum covers critical workplace safety topics, including first aid and CPR, emergency response procedures, electrical safety standards and fire prevention and rescue techniques. It will be conducted in multiple languages to ensure accessibility and enhance the professional skills of workers while contributing to safer work environments across industries.
"This initiative directly supports the UAE's strategic objectives for workforce development and occupational safety," stated Dr Amina Ajmal of Rewaq Ousha Institute. "By empowering workers with internationally recognised safety certifications, we're investing in both human capital and workplace standards." First established in 1992, the educational institute has been at the forefront of providing free classes and conducting charitable activities.
The inaugural session of the initiative- which is supported by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai- was held earlier this month and trained 100 workers from Al Naboodah Construction Group. Other companies in the UAE have been encouraged to apply for the training which will be offered till the end of the year.
A platform for workers
Each session of the Beat the Heat campaign will include educational talks, distribution of informative materials, and an interactive segment with a panel of doctors from various specialties. It will be held every Sunday for 15 weeks at various locations. The first session began on Sunday, June 15, at a labour camp in DIP, providing a platform for workers to have their medical doubts clarified.
"Around 250 workers attended the session, and we had 30 volunteers, including seven children, to ensure the event ran seamlessly," said Dr Nita Salam, chief organiser of the campaign in Dubai. "The event started off with a yoga session, and the staff of CGI Dubai conducted a session about a support centre for Indian expat workers. Refreshments were served, and electrolyte sachets were handed out."
Dr Archana Nair from AKMG said that workers were allowed to ask any medical questions they had during the session. "It was an open discussion," she said. "Many of the questions were centered around gastric issues, urinary infections during summer, muscle cramps and how to care for heat rashes. They also asked about how to effectively use sunscreen and whether it was covered by insurance."
She added that there was such a huge response to the interactive session that they have decided to allocate more time to enable all workers to ask their doubts.
