Infrastructure Projects Southern

Toolbox Talk

Ramadan 16 May 2018

What is Ramadan? Discuss Ramadan

with your team
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is the month the Holy
Quran was revealed. Muslims will start a month of fasting between
dawn and sunset, which at this time of year means avoiding food and  Talk about Ramadan with
drink for more than 18 hours each day. your team to raise
awareness
Fasting is expected to last around 18 hours and timings will change
marginally each day and will vary throughout the UK.  Ensure colleagues
understand the effects of
Understand the effects of fasting fasting and what to be
mindful of at work
 Reduced concentration, particularly during the afternoons
 Identify whether anyone in
 Dehydration is common during a fast
your team is fasting
 Headaches during a fast could be due to dehydration or hunger,
poor rest, or the absence of addictive substances, such as  Encourage discussion and
caffeine or nicotine be open about possible
 Fatigue Evening prayer, social activities and less eating/drinking adjustments, so that a
 habits associated with Ramadan can contribute to fatigue during fasting colleague feels
working hours they can come to you if
 Stress Lack of food and water, changes of routine and shorter they need some support
periods of sleep can cause stress.
 Remind workers who are
How could these effects impact their safety and the safety of fasting that that they
those around them? MUST stop work
immediately and tell their
What adjustments can be made? supervisor/manager if
they feel unwell or unable
It is reasonable to make appropriate allowances for Muslims where their to carry out their work
job allows. Consider the following; safely
 Can you be flexible about working hours, work duties and break  Reassure individuals that
times? they must not report for
 Where possible, can work be carried out in cool areas and their duty if they believe they
physical activities limited? are not fit to do so
 If fasting workers are affected by fatigue and a lack of
concentration, safety critical tasks should be carried out by a  Be sensitive to the subject
different member of the team. of fasting and what it
represents

Contact us: shield@networkrail.co.uk or go to our website www.southernshield.co.uk