This article was written by SHOWA, a global leader in hand protection, highlighting how the right PPE can play a vital role in tackling heat stress and improving worker safety in extreme Middle Eastern climates.
In the Middle East, where summer temperatures frequently climb above 40°C, managing heat stress is a daily reality for employers and workers alike. While it is easy to picture heat stress in extreme terms - heatstroke, fainting, or hospital visits - most of its impact is far more subtle and accumulative. Everyday discomfort, reduced focus, and increased fatigue all affect performance long before heat becomes a medical emergency.
One area that is rarely considered in regard to heat stress is the hand. For workers in industries such as construction, oil and gas, and logistics, gloves are an essential part of their personal protective equipment. Yet, gloves can quickly become a source of discomfort in hot conditions, trapping sweat and restricting airflow. When hands overheat, concentration falters, grip weakens, and the risk of errors rises.
Heat stress as a widespread issue
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 80% of workers in the Arab States are regularly exposed to excessive occupational heat. In practice, this means that heat is not an occasional hazard but a constant factor shaping how work must be managed across the region. Even with government-mandated midday rest breaks in some countries, studies show that the most intense heat stress often occurs before or after these periods. Workers continue to face challenging temperatures for much of the working day.
This constant exposure makes it vital to think about heat stress in broader terms than just emergencies. Sweaty palms, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue may not generate headlines, but they contribute to lower productivity and higher accident risk. Research has shown that injury risks are significantly higher on hotter days, even when rest periods are observed. The link is clear: as temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of accidents.
Why hands matter
Hands are at the centre of most tasks in the industries referenced above - lifting, handling tools, operating machinery, assembling parts. They are also among the first areas to suffer in the heat. One of the earliest symptoms of heat stress is difficulty concentrating, and glove discomfort can play a direct role in this. When gloves trap moisture, they not only cause irritation but also compromise dexterity and grip. Workers may find themselves adjusting gloves more frequently, working more slowly, or even removing protection altogether to cool down - which raises the risk of injury.
This is where the design of PPE becomes a critical factor. Just as hard hats are ventilated and high-visibility clothing is made from breathable fabrics, gloves too must evolve to meet the demands of hot working environments. Materials that wick moisture away from the skin, promote evaporation, and allow air circulation can make the difference between hands that feel clammy and fatigued, and hands that stay cool and effective throughout the day.
SHOWA’s research and product development in this area highlight how much of a difference material science can make. For example, its MFT PRO gloves use ultra-fine microfibres that absorb sweat in just over three seconds - more than twice as fast as traditional nylon liners, and significantly quicker than some mixed fibres. They also dry nearly twice as fast as comparable models. This means that moisture does not linger, reducing irritation and helping workers maintain a firm grip for longer periods.
The benefits of such innovation extend well beyond comfort. By reducing the distraction of damp gloves, workers can stay focused on their tasks. By maintaining grip, they reduce the risk of dropping tools or mishandling materials. And, by ensuring gloves remain wearable for a whole shift, employers reduce the likelihood that workers will discard PPE altogether.
A proactive approach
Heat stress will always be a challenge in the Middle East. Climate data shows that hot periods are arriving earlier in the year and lasting longer, extending the window of risk for outdoor and industrial workers. Employers cannot change the weather, but they can change how work is organised and how equipment is specified. By selecting PPE designed with heat stress in mind, companies show that they recognise the reality of daily discomfort as well as the risk of medical emergencies.
Ultimately, tackling heat stress is about seeing the full picture. It is not only the dramatic cases that matter, but also the everyday experiences of workers whose performance is shaped by how comfortable, focused, and protected they feel. Cool hands lead to clear heads, and in the heat of the Middle East, that is a vital advantage.
