**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Labour & Employment issued a nationwide advisory on April 28, 2026, mandating immediate preventive measures to protect workers from extreme heatwave conditions. The directive emphasizes a multi-sectoral approach, requiring rescheduling of work hours, provision of cooling facilities, and enhanced medical support. All involved organizations are required to submit fortnightly status reports to the Ministry to monitor the implementation of these safety actions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Workplace Safety Measures**
* Re-scheduling of working hours to avoid peak heat periods.
* Provision of adequate drinking water and dedicated rest areas with cooling facilities.
* Supply of emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention materials, especially at construction sites.
* Coordination with Health Departments for regular health check-ups for workers.
* **Sector-Specific Guidelines**
* **Factories and Mines:** Management must allow work flexibility, slow the pace of work during extreme heat, and ensure two-person crews for unavoidable continuous tasks.
* **Labour-Intensive Sectors:** Special attention is directed toward construction workers, brick kiln workers, daily wage earners, and casual labourers.
* **Training and Awareness**
* The DTNBWE is tasked with organizing training on heat stress symptoms, hydration, and emergency first-aid.
* States/UTs are encouraged to conduct awareness campaigns at labour chowks and public places using posters and banners.
* **Medical and Emergency Support**
* ESIC and DGLW must establish dedicated help desks for heat stroke cases.
* Hospitals and dispensaries are required to maintain stocks of ORS, ice packs, and prevention materials.
* EPFO and NCS must ensure cooling and water supply during their outreach camps.
* **Monitoring and Compliance**
* The Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) and Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) are responsible for monitoring compliance with safe working conditions and legal provisions.
* All attached organisations must furnish fortnightly status reports on actions taken.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact:** Charged with the coordination and localized implementation of the national advisory.
**Action Required:** Issue directions to employers and industries, conduct public awareness campaigns, and submit fortnightly progress reports to the Ministry.
**Employers, Occupiers, and Industry Management**
**Impact:** Must adjust operational schedules and invest in workplace cooling infrastructure.
**Action Required:** Implement flexible working hours, provide hydration and cooling facilities, and ensure availability of emergency medical supplies like ice packs and ORS.
**Workers and Labourers (Outdoor and Manual)**
**Impact:** Enhanced protection against heat-related illnesses and improved access to medical and cooling facilities.
**Action Required:** Follow safe work practices, attend training sessions, and report symptoms of heat stress early.
**Enforcement Agencies (CLC and DGMS)**
**Impact:** Increased oversight responsibilities regarding workplace safety compliance.
**Action Required:** Monitor industries and mines to ensure adherence to legal provisions concerning ventilation, water, and health check-ups.
**Medical Facilities (ESIC and DGLW)**
**Impact:** High demand for specialized heat-related medical care and supplies.
**Action Required:** Establish dedicated heat stroke help desks and ensure adequate stockpiling of medical mitigation materials.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour & Employment: The primary central authority that issued the nationwide advisory to protect workers and labourers from extreme heat conditions.
Nationwide Heatwave Advisory: The central policy document outlining preventive measures, rescheduled working hours, and safety protocols for the workforce during rising temperatures.
Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC): The organization directed to establish dedicated help desks for heatstroke cases and ensure medical supplies in its hospitals and dispensaries.
Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC): The enforcement agency responsible for monitoring industry compliance with legal provisions related to safe working conditions and worker health.
Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS): The regulatory body tasked with ensuring mines implement cooling, ventilation, and safety measures during the summer season.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ministry of Labour & Employment Issues
Nationwide Heatwave Advisory to Protect
Workers and Labourers
Posted On: 28 APR 2026 1:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Labour & Employment has issued advisories to all States/UTs and its attached
organisations, urging immediate preventive and mitigation measures to safeguard workers and labourers
from the adverse effects of rising temperatures and heat wave conditions across the country.
In a communication addressed to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all States and Union Territories, the
Ministry emphasized the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional approach to protect
workers, particularly those employed in outdoor and labour-intensive sectors.
States/UTs have been advised to issue necessary directions to employers, occupiers, industries and
construction companies for immediate implementation of worker safety measures, including:
Allowing re-scheduling of working hours for employees / workers in different sectors
Ensuring adequate drinking water facilities and making provision for rest areas and cooling of work
places
Making provision for emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention material for working
conditions requiring such facilities including for construction work
Coordinating with Health Department t o ensure regular health check-up of the workers
Factory and mine managements have also been advised to allow greater flexibility to workers, including
slowing the pace of work during periods of extreme heat, assigning two-person crews where continuous
work is unavoidable, providing rest areas and ensuring sufficient ventilation and cooling arrangements.
Special attention has been recommended for construction workers, brick kiln workers, daily wage earners
and casual labourers. States/UTs have been encouraged to undertake awareness campaigns at labour
chowks and public places, along with display of posters and banners carrying heatwave safety messages
and emergency contact details.
Directorate General of Training, National Board for Workers’ Education (DTNBWE) have been advised to
organise awareness and training programmes on heatwave mitigation and management, covering:
Causes and impact of heatwaves
Safe work practices such as hydration and rest breaks
Early recognition of heat stress symptoms
Preventive strategies at workplace and community level
Emergency response and first-aid measures.
Hospitals and dispensaries under Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Director General of
Labour Welfare (DGLW) have been asked to establish dedicated help desks for heat stroke cases and
ensure adequate stocks of ORS, ice packs and other heat illness prevention materials.Further, enforcement agencies such as Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) and Directorate General of
Mines Safety (DGMS) have been requested to monitor compliance with legal provisions related to safe
working conditions, drinking water, ventilation, cooling facilities and periodic health check-ups of
workers.
Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) & National Career Service (NCS) were also advised to
ensure cooling and ventilation and adequate supply of drinking water during the camps and outreach
activities conducted by them.
All organisations have also been requested to furnish fortnightly status reports on actions taken and
activities undertaken in this regard for further review and monitoring.
The Ministry reiterated that timely preventive action and close monitoring are essential to ensure the
health, safety and productivity of workers during the summer season.
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