Bhubaneswar, Mar 23: With temperatures expected to rise sharply in April, the Odisha Labour and Employees State Insurance Department has issued new guidelines to protect workers from heat-related illnesses during the summer season.

The directive, effective from April 1 to June 15, 2026, instructs all government departments, private employers, contractors, and industrial establishments to ensure that workers are not engaged in outdoor activities between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, the peak hours of extreme heat. The move comes amid concerns over possible cases of sunstroke and heat exhaustion.

Employers have been asked to adjust work schedules accordingly and, where necessary, provide protective measures if work during these hours cannot be avoided. Mandatory provisions include cool drinking water, shaded rest areas, medical facilities, and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets for every worker.

Also read: Odisha Media Delegation Meets Himachal Governor, Visits ARTRAC

The guidelines also emphasize that in cases of essential services or urgent work, employers must take precautionary steps to minimize exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures.

District Collectors, Revenue Commissioners, and the State Labour Commissioner have been directed to enforce these measures. Additionally, medical officers at district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Employees State Insurance hospitals have been instructed to remain alert and prepared to treat heat-related illnesses.

The Labour Department’s initiative highlights the government’s proactive approach to safeguarding workers during Odisha’s notoriously harsh summer months. With rising concerns over climate change and increasing heatwaves, such measures are seen as vital to prevent health risks and ensure workplace safety.

As Odisha braces for the summer, the directive serves as a reminder of the importance of adapting work practices to changing weather conditions and prioritizing worker welfare.