Outdoor working ban between 12pm and 4pm watered down

A BAN on working in the sun between the hours of 12pm and 4pm until the end of August has been scaled back, with a clause inserted that requires the temperature to be at or above 40C for it to come into force.

The ban on working outdoors during the hottest part of the day was initially announced at the start of the month, but did not stipulate any temperature.

It is thought that the 40C requirement, announced in the Official Gazette last Friday, has been inserted due to complaints from construction firms. The government gave no explanation for the change, presenting it as a new policy taken to “protect the health of people working outdoors under the sun”.