Extreme heat is putting Nigerian construction workers' health and livelihoods at risk. Firms have been instructed to give them five- to 10-minute water breaks after every 20 minutes on the job.
Under the directive, outdoor jobs that aren't urgent must pause during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Here's what to know
Contractors and property developers nationwide are subject to the safety advisory from Nigeria's Sector Skills Council for Building, according to PUNCH.
Shelters for breaks and first aid supplies for heat emergencies must be in place, and contractors must adjust work schedules. Council President Samson Opaluwah signed the advisory.
Any work running after dark needs proper lighting. For heavy-duty jobs, the council suggested shifting to early mornings, around 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., or into the late afternoon. From noon to 3:30 p.m., contractors must avoid roofing, pouring concrete, excavating by hand, and erecting scaffolding, according to PUNCH.
The council also raised concerns about artisans' pay. Workers who are paid by the day could lose income if contractors halt work without warning during extreme heat, so the council recommended adjusting shift times instead of stopping work completely.
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More background
Flash flooding, dusty conditions, and extended dry spells are among the dangers the council flagged for construction workers, whose jobs routinely involve strenuous tasks in direct sunlight.
According to PUNCH, long exposure to high heat can cause dehydration, muscle cramps, and heatstroke, which can be deadly. The council also warned that heat affects focus and reflexes, raising the odds of falls, accidents with heavy equipment, and injuries from falling debris.
Workers who dig, make blocks, or mix cement face airborne dust that has been linked to breathing problems like occupational asthma and silicosis.
Uneven rainfall combined with poor drainage can create standing water that attracts mosquitoes, a factor the council linked to higher malaria rates and missed workdays.
What's being done?
According to the council's instructions, contractors must supply light, high-visibility work gear, helmets with attached neck coverings, UV-blocking eyewear, and N95 or higher-grade masks for dusty conditions.
Crews must also keep dust down by regularly dampening dirt roads, demolition zones, and any bare soil on site.
The advisory also calls for a buddy system, pairing workers to watch for warning signs such as dizziness, confusion, difficulty speaking clearly, and heavy sweating. First-aid stations must carry oral rehydration salts, ice packs, and wet towels.
Safety officers must track forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and alter plans as conditions change. Brief daily meetings, lasting about 10 minutes, need to be held to address how to spot heat stress, prevent illness, and respond to emergencies.
To enforce these protections, the council plans surprise inspections with the Nigerian Institute of Building, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, according to PUNCH.
Contractors who fall short could face formal safety citations or an order pausing work on site.
The advisory states, "Hydration Stations: Clean, cool drinking water must be available within 50 meters of every active work zone. Workers must be granted mandatory 5-10-minute hydration breaks every 20 minutes. Electrolytes & First Aid: Site clinics/first aid stations must be stocked with Oral Rehydration Salts and cooling media (ice packs, wet towels) for rapid response to acute heat distress."
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