Building Council Orders Construction Work Breaks Due to Heat

The Sector Skills Council for Building in Nigeria has issued a national safety advisory directing construction companies and property developers to suspend non-essential heavy outdoor work between noon and 3:30 PM due to extreme heat. The advisory, signed by President Samson Opaluwah, highlights the risks of heatstroke, respiratory illnesses, and workplace accidents caused by rising temperatures and dry conditions.

It recommends restructuring working hours to early morning (6 AM to 10:30 AM) or late afternoon, ensuring adequate lighting for night work. Contractors must provide clean drinking water within 50 meters of work areas and allow mandatory hydration breaks every 20 minutes.

The advisory specifically identifies roofing, concrete pouring, manual excavation, and scaffolding as labor-intensive activities to avoid during peak heat. Additionally, construction sites must have first-aid facilities stocked with oral rehydration salts and cooling media to address heat distress.

This directive responds to growing concerns about the impact of extreme weather on outdoor workers in the construction industry.