Work conditions for security guards are approved by the minister of human resources.

Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, made a decision approving the working conditions for security guards in the country.

According to the norms and conditions set forth by the HR Minister, security guards are not permitted to work for more than five hours straight without a break for rest, prayer, or food, with each break lasting at least 30 minutes.

To avoid the effects of sun exposure and heat stress, it is also required for the company to supply uniforms for the security guards, who must also adhere to the rules outlined in the procedure manual for occupational safety and health.

The new laws and standards will apply to businesses and organizations that directly or indirectly employ security guards in the private sector. Additionally, businesses that hire private civil security guards or businesses that directly employ security guards must abide by these terms and conditions.

• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has categorized the working conditions for security guards into three groups.

1. The interior of commercial buildings and other structures related to banks
2. The outside environment, which includes buildings that are exposed to environmental circumstances that are unfavorable and
3. Remote locations, remote from populated regions, where businesses are being built.

The new Terms and Conditions also included a list of tangible items that the business owner was required to supply. These items could vary from one company to another depending on the work environment of the security guards in question.

Al-decision Rajhi’s intends to improve the standard of work performed by security guards, increase worker productivity, increase the sector’s allure and increase the stability of security guard employment.

The Ministry requested that all businesses in the private sector adhere to these rules within 180 days of the date this decision was published on the Ministry’s website. The Ministry also made clear that it would take all necessary steps to ensure compliance and impose sanctions on businesses that disobeyed its rules.