Qatar decision of the minister of administrative development, labour and social affairs no. (17) of 2021 on the necessary precautions to protect workers from heat stress

In 2021, the Government of Qatar announced Ministerial Decision No.17, which replaced previous legislation and introduced additional measures (State of Qatar 2023). The new legislation introduced an expansion of summertime working hours during which outdoor work is prohibited. Under these rules, workers cannot work outside between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from 1 June to 15 September. In addition, regardless of the time, all work must stop if the WBGT rises above 32.1°C in a particular workplace. Furthermore, it also mandates that employers provide workers with annual health checks, educate them about the dangers of heat stress and provide specialized training for those working in extreme heat conditions.