The Sector Skills Council for Building in Nigeria has issued new workplace safety guidelines directing construction companies to suspend non-essential heavy outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day to protect workers from extreme temperatures.
Under the advisory, contractors and property developers are expected to halt strenuous outdoor operations between 12 noon and 3:30 pm, when prolonged exposure to heat could increase the risk of serious health complications.
The directive was contained in a national safety advisory issued on Tuesday and signed by the Council President, Samson Ameh Opaluwah.
According to the Council, extreme weather conditions associated with El Niño have heightened occupational hazards across construction sites, particularly for workers engaged in physically demanding activities.
It identified rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, dusty conditions and flash flooding as environmental challenges that could threaten workers’ health and safety.
The Council warned that continued exposure to excessive heat could result in dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heatstroke.
It also noted that heat-related fatigue could reduce concentration and impair judgment, increasing the likelihood of falls, equipment mishandling and other workplace accidents.
To minimise these risks, the advisory recommended rescheduling labour-intensive activities such as roofing, concrete pouring, manual excavation and scaffolding to cooler periods.
Construction companies were encouraged to undertake such operations between 6 am and 10:30 am or during the late afternoon when temperatures are generally lower.
Where work extends into nighttime hours, the Council stressed the importance of providing adequate lighting to maintain visibility and reduce accident risks.
Beyond adjusting working hours, the advisory introduced measures intended to ensure that construction workers remain properly hydrated throughout their shifts.
It directed contractors to provide clean drinking water within 50 metres of every active work area, ensuring that employees have convenient access to hydration facilities.
Workers are also expected to receive mandatory hydration breaks lasting between five and 10 minutes after every 20 minutes of work.
The Council emphasised that regular access to drinking water and adequate rest periods could help reduce the dangers associated with prolonged physical activity in high temperatures.
Construction firms were further directed to equip first aid stations with essential materials for responding to heat-related emergencies.
These include Oral Rehydration Salts, ice packs and wet towels, which can support initial treatment when workers develop symptoms of heat exhaustion.
The advisory also highlighted respiratory illnesses associated with dusty conditions as another occupational concern requiring attention from construction employers.
By introducing the measures, the Council aims to encourage safer working conditions while reducing preventable injuries and illnesses linked to extreme weather.
The guidelines place responsibility on contractors and property developers to adjust site operations and provide essential protective arrangements for workers exposed to challenging environmental conditions.
The Council maintained that protecting workers’ health should remain a priority as construction activities continue amid increasingly difficult weather conditions.
Ezeana Emmanuel
