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ORDER NO. 34/1977

PROVISIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS FROM THE
HAZARDS OF THE REPAIR AND DEMOLITION OF TANKS, DRUMS

AND WORK IN CONFINED SPACES

The Minister for Labour and Social Affairs;in pursuance of paragraph one of Article 92 of the Labour Law for the Private Sector, promulgated by Amiri Decree Law No. 23/1976 and Order No. 29/1976 made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs with respect to organisation of industrial safety organs in establishments and determining and regulating the necessary services and precautions for the protection of workers during work and from machinery, and to Order No.
12/1977 made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs with respect to the determination and organisation of precautionary measures vital to the protection of workers engaged in construction, civil engineering and shipbuilding;

ORDERS

Article 1

The provisions of this Order shall apply to all premises subject to the provisions of the Labour Law for the Private Sector, 1976.

Article 2

According to this Order, the following expression shall have the meaning assigned to it: 'competent' shall mean the definition stipulated in Order No. 12/1977 made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs with respect to the determination and organization of precautionary measures vital to the protection of workers engaged in construction, civil engineering and shipbuilding.

Article 3

No plant, tank drum or vessel which has contained any explosive or flammable substance shall be subjected -

a. to any welding, brazing or soldering operation;
b. to any cutting operation which involves the application of heat;or
c. to any cutting operation involving the application of heat for the purpose of taking apart, demolishing or removing the plant, thank,drum or vessel or any part of it, until all practicable steps have been taken by steaming, boiling out or otherwise to remove the flammable substance and any fumes arising from it or to reder them non-explosive or non-flammable; and if any plant etc.
has been subjected to any such operation, no explosive or flammable substance shall be allowed to enter the plant etc. until the metal is cooled sufficiently to prevent any risk of ignition.

Article 4

Before a contractor undertakes any demolition of large tanks or a vessel whose capacity is 450 litres or more, e.g. oil storage tanks, authority for the work undertaken shall be obtained from the Directorate of Labour at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Article 5

Where work has to be done inside any chamber, tank, vat, pipe, flue or other confined space in which either (a) dangerous fumes are likely to be present to such an extent as to involve risk to persons being overcome thereby or (b) the proportion of oxygen in the air is liable to have been
substantially reduced, the following precautions shall be taken:
1. The confined space shall be provided with a manhole, which may be rectangular, oval or circular in shape, and shall be not less than eighteen inches long and sixteen inches wide or (if circular) not less than eighteen inches in diameter, or in the case of tank wagons and other mobile plant, not less than sixteen inches long and fourteen inches wide or (if circular) not less than sixteen inches in diameter.
2. No person shall enter or remain in the confined space for any purpose unless he is wearing suitable breathing apparatus and has been authorised to enter by a responsible person, and, where
practicable, he is wearing a belt with a rope securely attached and a person keeping watch outside and capable of pulling him out is holding the free end of the rope.
3. Sub-paragraph two of this Article shall not apply in the cases where the confined space is safe for a specified period, safe for entry without breathing apparatus and the period so specified has not expired, but no person shall enter or remain the space unless he has been warned when that period will expire.
4. A confined space shall not be certified under subsection (3) of this Article unless:
a.effective steps have been taken to prevent any ingress of dangerous fumes; and
b.any sludge or other deposit liable to give off dangerous fumes has been removed and the space contains no other material liable to give off dangerous fumes; and
c.the space has been adequately ventilated and tested for dangerous fumes and has a supply of air adequate for reparation; but no account shall be taken for the purpose of paragraph (b) of
this subsection of any deposit or other material liable to give off dangerous fumes in insignificant quantities only.
5. There shall be provided and kept readily available a sufficient supply of breathing apparatus, of belts and ropes, and of suitable reviving apparatus and oxygen, and the apparatus, belts and ropes
shall be maintained and shall be thoroughly examined, at least once a month or at such other intervals as may be prescribed by a competent person; and a report on every such examination, signed by the person making the examination and containing the prescribed particulars, shall be kept available for inspection.
6. A sufficient number for persons employed shall be trained and practised in the use of the apparatus mentioned in subsection (5) of this Article and in the method of restoring respiration.

Article 6

The Minister for Labour and Social Affairs may by an Order grant exemption from compliance with any of the requirements of the foregoing provisions of this Order in any case where he is satisfied that compliance with these requirements is unnecessary or impracticable. This Order shall be published in the Official Gazette and it shall come into effect from the date of its publication.

Minister for Labour and Social Affairs,
Isa Bin Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa
Dated: 26th December,

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ORDER NO 25/1977

THE ORGANISATOIN OF SERVICES AND PRECAUTIONARY
MEASUES NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS IN

WORKPLACES

The Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs; in pursuance of the first paragraph of article 92 of the Labour Law for the Private Sector, promulgated by Amiri Decree Law No. 23/1976 and Order
No. 29/1976 made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs with respect to the organisation of industrial Safety Bodies in establishments and determining and organising the services and precautionary measures vital to protecting workers during work form the hazards of work and
machinery;

ORDERS

Article 1

The provisions of this Order shall apply to all premises to which the above mentioned Labour Law the Private Sector 1976 applies, except those establishments subject to the provisions of Order No. 12/1997 made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs with respect to the determination and organisation of precautionary measures vitals to the protection of workers engaged in construction, civil engineering and shipbuilding.

Article 2

The following expression shall have the meaning assigned hereby to it newline 'maintained in a safe condition' means kept safe at all times and includes proper construction and maintenance of the structure, floor, etc,. and prohibits any temporary lack of safety.

Article 3

Each employer or the person acting in his place shall acquaint the worker before being employed of the hazards of work and means of protection against such hazards. He shall also take the necessary precautions for protecting the workers from the hazards of work and machinery and shall provide them with he necessary services for such protection. The employer may not charge the workers or deduct any amounts from their wages in consideration of providing such facilities.

Article 4

The worker shall not embark upon any action or cause any failure which aims at hampering the execution of instructions or the misuse, or causing damage to the means provided for the protection and safety of the workers employed with him. He shall abide by the instructions laid down for his safety and safety and protection from the hazards of work.

Article 5

• All floors, steps, stairs, passages and gangways shall be of sound construction and shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept free from any obstruction and from any substance likely to cause
persons to slip and shall be properly maintained in a safe condition.
• For every staircase in a building or affording a means of exit from a building, a substantial hand-rail shall be provided and maintained which, if the staircase has an open side, shall be on that side, and in the case of a staircase having two open sides or of a staircase which, owing to the nature of its construction or the condition of the surface of the steps or other special circumstances, is specially liable to cause accidents, such a hand-rail shall be provided and maintained on both sides.
• Any open side a staircase shall also be guarded by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or other effective means.
• All openings in floors and walls, including opening through or from which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2 metres shall be securely fenced, except in so far as the nature of the work renders such a fencing impracticable.
• All ladders shall be soundly constructed and properly maintained.

Article 6

• There shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided in a safe condition, means of access to every place at which any person has at any time to work, and every such place shall, so far as is
reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for any person working there.
• Where any person has to work at a place from which he will be liable to fall a distance more than 2 metres, then, unless the place is one which affords secure foot-hold, where necessary secure hand-hold , means shall be provided, so far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise, for ensuring his safety.
• No machine with a travelling or swivelling carriage shall be so placed that a person would be liable to be trapped between that carriage and any fixed object or part of the building - unless access
to the trapping point is prevented by secure fencing.

Article 7

The Minister for Labour and Social Affairs may exempt from he requirements of this Order premises, or part of any premises, and any process, machinery or plant if he is satisfied that the requirements are unnecessary or inappropriate.

Article 8

Article 1 of the above mentioned Order No. 29/1976 made by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs shall be revoked.

Article 9

This Order shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall be effective after 3 months from the date of its publication.

Minister for Labour and Social Affairs,
Isa Bin Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al Kahlifa
Dated: 6th November, 1977

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Prime Ministerial Edict No. (2) of 2015

With Respect to the Occupational Safety and Health Council

The Prime Minister

Having examined the Labour Law for the Private Sector Promulgated by Law No. (36) of 2012, as amended by Law No. (31) of 2014 especially Article (175) thereof, Minister of Labour Order No. (29) of 2007 with respect to the Organisation and Powers of the Supreme Committee for Occupational safety and Health, Minister of Labour Order No. (11) of 2011 with respect to the Re-formation of the Supreme Committee for Occupational safety and Health, And upon the submission of the Minister of Labour Hereby Orders the Following:

Article (1)

There shall be established a council to be named the "Occupational Safety and Health Council" referred to in this Edict as "Council". The Council shall be responsible for formulating and following up the implementation of the general policy in the field of occupational safety and health, and securing the work environment.

Article (2)

The Council shall be formed under the presidency of Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, with the membership of the following:
1. Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Ansari Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs- Ministry of Labour

Deputy Chairman

2. Mohammed Sajid Izhar Al Haq Deputy Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Member

3. Adel Hassan Al Aali Member of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Member

4. Dr. Abdul Basit Mohammed Abdul Mohsin Legal Advisor, Ministry of Labour Member

5. Hussain Ali Al Shami Head of Occupational Safety Section, Ministry of Labour Member

6. Hassan Yousuf Ali Safety Advisor, Civil Service Bureau Member

7. Colonel Ali Mohammed Saad Al Hooty Director of Protection and Safety, Ministry of Interior Member

8. Mirza Salman Khalaf Director of Environmental Control, Supreme Council for the Environment

Member

9. Ahmed Khalil Ebrahim Manager, Department of Fire, Health and Safety, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) Member

10. Dr.Maha Saleh Shehab Occupational Health Specialist, Ministry of Health Member

11. Eng. Yasser Abdul Rahim Manager, Plant Operations, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company

Member

12. Mohammed Mahdi Abdulla Assistant Secretary General for Occupational Health and
Safety and Work Environment, General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions Member

13. Alawi Shubber Isa Deputy Chairman of Board of Directors, Bahrain Health and Safety Society

Member

14. Mohammed Rasool Bakhsh Deputy Chairman for Occupational Health and Safety, Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation Member

15. Dr. Mohammed Abdul Razzaq Al Seddiqi Acting Director of Technical and Vocational Education,
Ministry of Education Member

16. Mahmood Ahmed Abdul Rahim Director, Human Resources, Ministry of Works Member

The Deputy Chairman Shall take the place of the Chairman in performing all his duties in case of his absence or if he cannot perform his duties for any reason.

Article (3)

The term of membership of the Council shall be three years renewable for similar periods. If any position becomes vacant for any reason, a representative of the same organisation shall replace him in the same capacity and shall complete the term of his predecessor.

Article (4)

The Council shall be responsible for formulating and following up the implementation of the general policy on occupational safety and health and securing the work environment by performing the following duties and functions:
1. Proposing a national policy and system for occupational safety and health and securing the work environment.
2. Proposing and review of the development of national legislations and standards related to the protection and safeguarding of the safety and health of workers and the work environment in light of practical changes scientific advances, developments related to economic and social development programmes and related ratified Arab and international agreements that are related to occupational safety and health and work environment.
3. To give its opinion on proposed legislations that are related to occupational safety and health and work environment.
4. Conducting studies and research related to occupational safety and health and work environment.
5. Studying Arab and international agreements and recommendations related to occupational safety and health and work environment.
6. Seeking to benefit from the exchanging of experiences with firms, societies, committees and organisations working in the field of occupational safety and health and work environment.

7. Developing and proposing plans related to training and grooming staff cadres specialized in the field of occupational safety and health and work environment in line with practical and scientific needs, as well as determining the qualifications required for occupational health and safety professions.
8. Promoting preventive awareness in the field of occupational safety and health and work environment, through TV, radio and press media and the organizing of specialised exhibitions, conferences and seminars in coordination with governmental bodies, major companies and civil society organisations.
9. Consulting, coordinating and cooperating with other concerned bodies in proposing laws, regulations and measures related to occupational safety and health and work environment.
10. Coordinating directly with the occupational safety and health inspection functionat the Ministry of Labour in the area of the implementation of occupational safety and health laws and ministerial orders.
11. Providing consultation services in the area of occupational safety and health to the occupational safety and health inspection function at the Ministry of Labour.

Article (5)

1. The Council shall meet at least once in every three months at the invitation of the Chairman or his deputy. The Chairman may call for an extraordinary meeting whenever there is a need for it, or within fifteen days from him receiving a written request supported with reasons for such a meeting signed by one third of the members. The meeting invitation notice shall include the purpose of the meeting and the agenda shall be attached thereto.
2. A Council meeting shall be valid in the presence of the majority of its members, provided that the Chairman or his deputy is among them. The decisions and recommendations of the Council shall be issued by the majority of votes present at the meeting, and in case of a tie the Chairman or his deputy shall have a casting vote. The meetings and decisions of the Council shall be recorded in minutes to be signed by the person presiding over the meeting and all the members who were present at such meeting.
3. The Chairman of the Council shall at the first meeting of the Council appoint a rapporteur to the Council from amongst its members or from outside it, who shall be responsible for preparing the agendas of the Council meetings, sending notices of invitation therefor to the members, preparing minutes of meetings in a register prepared for such purpose, maintaining the records and documents and other duties that the nature of the Council's work may require or that fall within its functions.
4. The Council may invite any person of a specialisation or expertise to attend its meetings if it feels that it needs his assistance, for discussion and to hear his opinion, but such a person shall not have the right to a countable vote with respect to the decisions and recommendations that the Council may make.

Article (6)

The membership of a Council member shall terminate for any of the following reasons:
1. Death
2. The issue of a decision to relieve the member from his post.
3. If his service ended on who belongs to any reason
4 If he tenders his resignation in writing.
5. Failing to attend more than three consecutive Council meetings without submitting an acceptable excuse.

Article (7)

The Council shall put in place a mechanism for performing its duties and the Chairman of the Council shall issue an order to this effect.

Article (8)

The Council may, by a decision issued by it, set up occupational safety and health subcommittees in related economic and industrial sectors as it may determine, provided that every committee shall include in its membership two representatives from the concerned parties. The Council shall determine the functions of such committee and the rules governing their work.

Article (9)

The Council shall submit its recommendations to the Council of Ministers for taking whatever decisions it may deem appropriate in the respect thereof. The Council shall prepare an annual report about all of its work and what has been done in respect thereof. The report shall be presented to the Council of Ministers.

Article (10)

All ministries, organisations, authorities and bodies shall cooperate with the Council and give it all the data, information and studies necessary for conducting its work.

Article (11)

Minister of Labour Order No. (29) of 2007 with respect to the Organisation and Powers of the Supreme Committee for Occupational Safety and Health shall be revoked, as well as the Minister of Labour Order No. (11) of 2011 with respect to the Re-formation of the Supreme Committee for Occupational safety and Health. Any other provision that contradicts the provisions of this Edict shall also be revoked.

Article (12)

The ministers, each in his respective capacity, shall implement this Edict which shall come into effect on the day following the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa,
Prime Minister.
Issued on: 16thRabia Al Awal 1436 Hijra,
Corresponding to: 7

thJanuary 2014 AD.

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Ministerial Order No.(40) of 2014

With Respect to the Requirements and Specifications

of Workers Accommodation

The Minister of Labour

Having examined Law No. (3) of 1975 with Respect to Public Health, as amended And Legislative Decree No. (13) of 1977 with Respect to Constructional Organisation of Buildings, as amended
And Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Law No. (36) of 2012, as amended by Law No. (31) of 2014, particularly Article (11) thereof, And Ministerial Order No. (8) of 1978 with respect to Stipulating the Health Requirements and Specifications of Workers Accommodation, as
amended by Order No. (9) of 2006, And after consulting with the concerned ministries and bodies,
And Upon the submission of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, Hereby Orders as follows

Article (1)

An employer who provides living accommodation to his workers in remote areas and an employer who, at his own option, provides living accommodation to his workers in areas other than remote areas shall comply with the requirements and specifications stipulated in this Order. Both employers shall hereinafter be referred to as "Employer".

Article (2)

The Employer shall notify the Ministry of Labour of the location of the accommodation quarters that he provides to his workers and its address, area, number of workers to be accommodated and their gender, by way of the form prepared for this purpose within a period not exceeding fifteen days from the date of providing such living accommodation, and the Ministry shall inform the concerned bodies to take their necessary measures.

Article (3)

The Employer shall provide rooms in each accommodation quarters that meet the following requirements and specifications:
1. The area allocated for each worker shall not be less than four square meters of clear space.
2. They shall be well ventilated and lit.
3. Their windows shall be covered by wire mesh to prevent insects from getting inside and the windows should not allow dust to get inside.
4. They should not be constructed on entrances, corridors or roofs of buildings.
5. They should be provided with sufficient sleep necessities, blankets and suitable cupboards for keeping clothes.
6. They should not accommodate more workers than their capacity, taking into account the area of the room and the area allocated to each worker.

Article (4)

Employer shall provide the following equipment in each one of the accommodation quarters:
1. Adequate and sufficient air conditioning.
2. Water cooler and a safe source of drinkable water.
3. A sufficient and adequate number of garbage bins.
4. Adequate fire-fighting means, and should obtain a certificate to this effect from the Civil Defence Department.
5. Adequate means to dispose of domestic refuse and sewage waste.
6. A first aid box sufficient for the number of workers to whom the accommodation is allocated.

7. A suitable place for laundry.

Article (5)

Employer shall attach to each accommodation quarters a kitchen which shall be suitable for the size of the accommodation quarters and the number of workers, and shall meet the following requirements and specifications:
1. It shall have a safe source of drinkable water.
2. It shall have a washbasin.
3. A suitable place for storing and preserving food.
4. The floor shall be made of a non-slippery impervious material, and it should slope towards a drain. The walls shall be covered with a smooth-finish material that can be cleaned easily.
5. The ventilation and lighting shall be adequate.
6. It shall have a fridge to store food, with sufficient capacity for the number of workers to which the accommodation quarters are allocated.
7. It shall have gas or electric stoves sufficient to cater for the number of workers.

Article (6)

Employers shall provide a bathroom for each accommodation quarters in compliance with the following requirements and specifications:
1. Its walls shall be covered with a smooth-finish material that can be cleaned easily and the floor shall be constructed of an impervious material, and shall slope towards a drain.
2. It shall have a suitable water heater which is to be fixed on the outside.
3. It shall be well ventilated and lit.
4. It shall not open directly on to a kitchen or dining room.
5. It shall contain the following:
a. At least one toilet for every three workers, fitted with a flushing tank.
b. A place for taking shower and changing dress for every eight workers.
c. At least one washbasin for every eight workers.

Article (7)

Employer shall provide a dining room, whether separate or a common one which is large enough to accommodate the number of workers residing in the accommodation quarters.

Article (8)

Employer shall carry out regular maintenance work on the accommodation headquarters and do all urgent and necessary repairs so as to be in a sound condition that meets the requirements and specification prescribed in this Order, including all electrical connections, wires and boxes that should comply with ecurity and safety requirements.

Article (9)

Any Employer who provided accommodation for his workers before the provisions of this Order come into force shall adjust his situation in accordance with the provisions of this Order within a period not exceeding three months from the date of its coming into effect.

Article (10)

Ministerial Order No. (8) of 1978 with respect to Prescribing the Health Requirements and Specifications of Workers Accommodation, as amended by Order No. (9) of 2006 shall be revoked.

Article (11)

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour shall implement this Order which shall come into effect on the day following the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan
Minister of Labour

Issued on: 1

stRabia Al Awal 1436 Hijra
Corresponding to: 23rdDecember 2014 AD