EGA celebrates remarkable achievement: Zero heat-related illnesses for yet another summer

On October 03, 2023, Emirates Global Aluminium proudly announced that it has successfully maintained a second consecutive summer with no heat-related illnesses among its workforce. Working outdoors in the United Arab Emirates during the summer can pose a severe risk of heat-related illnesses, which, if not promptly addressed, can lead to fatalities. In addition to this environmental challenge, EGA's industrial operations generate extra heat and must remain operational 24/7 throughout the year.

EGA has dedicated over a decade to refining its system for mitigating heat-related illnesses. The company's yearly "Beat the Heat" initiative represents a comprehensive, extended summer campaign encompassing all of EGA's operations. Employees undergo training to identify early indicators of heat stress in themselves and their co-workers and are empowered and equipped to respond proactively.

Since the previous year, EGA has been experimenting with wearable technology to identify the initial indicators of heat stress even before they become perceptible. This summer, EGA expanded the trial of wearable technology to encompass 350 employee volunteers, a significant increase from the 50 participants in the summer of 2022.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, the Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, "Heat-related illness threatens the health of anyone working outside during our summers. EGA's success in combating it is relevant for all companies with outdoor workers in the UAE and, with climate change, increasingly in other global regions. The good news is that heat-related illness is entirely preventable, even in the extreme temperatures we see in the UAE every year."

EGA is currently testing wearable technology developed by the American company Kenzen, similar to the devices used by elite athletes. In real-time, this technology monitors vital indicators such as core body temperature, heart rate, and activity levels. It provides alerts to both the wearers and EGA's safety team.

As part of the 'Beat the Heat' campaign, EGA is implementing various measures to ensure the well-being of its employees and contractors during their shifts. These measures include hydration tests before and during work shifts, regular breaks, cooling showers, and providing cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units in EGA production areas to keep workers cool and comfortable.

In 2020 and 2022, EGA successfully maintained a record of zero heat-related illnesses. However, in 2021, there were two instances of heat-related illness among EGA employees, necessitating treatment at the company's on-site medical facilities. In both cases, employees received rehydration through intravenous drips and fully recovered within a few hours.

The UAE-based EGA has consistently been recognized for its transition towards digital transformation across its operations, whether in the realm of aluminium production or human resources healthcare. Discover how digital transformation is helping the aluminium industry become more worker-friendly, explore AL Circle's industry-focused report, "Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry".