Working in the UAE: Your workplace safety rights and responsibilities explained

Dubai: Whether you work in an office, a warehouse, on a construction site or in a factory, employers in the UAE are legally required to provide a safe working environment to workers, as per the UAE’s Labour Law. At the same time, employees also have a responsibility to follow workplace safety rules and use the protective equipment provided to them, as part of their legal duties under the same law. The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 – more commonly referred to as the Labour Law – clearly lays down the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees to ensure that all work environments comply with the occupational health and safety requirements issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and other relevant authorities. Here is all you need to know. Health insurance Workers in both the public and private sectors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are entitled to receive health insurance coverage from their employers. Every employer must provide a safe workplace The Labour Law and its regulations require employers to take the necessary steps to protect workers from injuries, accidents and occupational diseases. As per Article 13 of the UAE Labour Law, employers must: provide the necessary means to protect workers from occupational injuries and diseases. provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where required. display workplace safety instructions and awareness materials. train workers on occupational health and safety risks. carry out periodic evaluations to ensure safety requirements are being met. maintain a safe and appropriate working environment. These obligations apply across workplaces, although the specific measures required will vary depending on the type of work being carried out. Workers also have legal responsibilities Under Article 16 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and Article 22 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, workers are also required to fulfil their obligations to ensure workplace safety. They should: use the protective equipment and clothing provided. follow the employer's instructions aimed at protecting against risks. refrain from any act that interferes with those instructions. follow all orders relating to work safety and security precautions. use protective equipment and take care of it. not misuse, damage or destroy protective equipment. Summer midday break Another way in which the UAE ensures a suitable work environment for everyone is the provision of the midday break. To protect workers from extreme heat, outdoor work under direct sunlight is prohibited between 12.30pm and 3pm from June 15 to September 15 each year. While the restriction applies to work carried out in open areas exposed to the sun, certain activities are exempt from the midday work break, especially in cases where work cannot reasonably be postponed, such as continuous concrete pouring, asphalt works, emergency repairs and certain government-permitted projects. Medical examinations for occupation health risks According to MOHRE, employees exposed to occupational health risks must undergo periodic medical examinations to help detect occupational diseases at an early stage. Where required, employers must arrange regular medical check-ups, with doctors recording the results in both the worker's file and the employer's records. If an occupational disease is confirmed, the doctor must notify both the employer and the ministry. Occupational Health and Safety Officer Every industrial establishment, and every construction company employing 100 workers or more, must appoint a technically qualified Occupational Health and Safety Officer. The officer is responsible for identifying workplace hazards and supervising compliance with occupational safety requirements. Employers’ responsibilities in case of a workplace injury Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 on Work Injuries and Occupational Diseases, and the Labour Law's Executive Regulation, employers have several legal obligations if a worker suffers a work-related injury or occupational disease. If any such incidents occur, an employer should: ensure the worker receives appropriate medical treatment. report workplace injuries and occupational diseases to MOHRE. investigate incidents and take measures to prevent similar accidents. pay compensation in accordance with the Labour Law. Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 requires employers to notify MOHRE within a maximum of 48 hours of becoming aware of an occupational disease or from the occurrence of any other work injury. What are an employee’s compensation rights? Article 37 of the UAE Labour Law requires employers to pay workers their full wage for the duration of their treatment, or for a period of six months, whichever is less. The article further states that the worker will be eligible to half his or her wage for a further six months if treatment continues beyond the first six months, or until the worker recovers, is