Midday outdoor work ban under sun comes to an end in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH — A midday outdoor work ban under the sun comes to an end across Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Sept. 15 after running for three months. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in coordination with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH), announced the conclusion of the 2026 ban on working under direct sunlight that was applicable to all private sector companies and establishments from June 15. The ministry’s outdoor work ban during the period between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. mandates all private sector establishments and outdoor workers such as construction, cleaning, and road maintenance to strictly adhere to the ministry’s regulations in this regard. The midday outdoor work ban was aimed to protect workers from heat stress, exhaustion, and health risks during peak summer temperatures. The ministry had instructed companies and establishments that they must organize work hours, provide shaded rest spots, and offer drinking water. The decision is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard workers' health and safety and mitigate occupational and health risks associated with direct exposure to sunlight and high temperatures. These efforts aimed to promote safe and healthy work environments and strengthen the adoption of preventive measures and occupational safety and health practices across various sectors. The three-month enforcement period included comprehensive monitoring and awareness-raising initiatives. The ministry conducted 29,945 inspection visits across the Kingdom, with establishments recording a 95 percent compliance rate. A total of 1,771 violations were recorded, while 41 reports related to the implementation of the decision were addressed. These results reflect growing awareness among establishments of the importance of complying with occupational safety and health requirements and maintaining safe working environments.