Midday Outdoor Work Ban Ends Nationwide on Sept 15

The seasonal ban on outdoor work under direct sunlight during midday hours ended across Saudi Arabia on 15 September 2026, closing the annual three-month summer safety period. The prohibition had applied nationwide from 15 June to 15 September, daily between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. From 16 September onward, midday outdoor work is no longer covered by this specific seasonal rule.

The measure applies to all private-sector establishments carrying out any outdoor work under direct sunlight. During the banned hours, employers are required to reschedule tasks to cooler times of the day or provide effective shading, indoor spaces, or air-conditioned environments for workers.

Certain activities remain exempt from the rule. These include emergency maintenance and critical infrastructure work, oil and gas operations where continuous work is necessary provided protective measures are in place, and any work performed in shaded, indoor, or air-conditioned enclosures even if located outdoors.

Why it matters

The ban is issued under a ministerial decree by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and is applied annually in cooperation with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. The mid-June to mid-September pattern has remained unchanged through 2026, with no published change to the standard dates or the 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. window.

Labor inspectors carry out enforcement during the restricted hours, focusing on construction, industrial, and other outdoor sites. Administrative fines can reach up to SAR 10,000 and repeated or serious breaches may lead to suspension or revocation of licenses.

Even outside the banned hours, employers must protect workers from heat stress by providing rest breaks, drinking water, and shaded rest areas, while keeping compliance records available for inspection. The rule remains one of the Kingdom's key measures to safeguard outdoor workers during the hottest months of the year.

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