The United Arab Emirates has identified five situations in which an employee may lose the right to compensation after a workplace injury. The rules make clear that compensation is not automatic: eligibility depends on the findings of the appropriate authorities, who must investigate whether any of the exclusions genuinely apply.
Advertisements
The guidance is important for workers across the UAE, particularly those in sectors where physical risk is higher, such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, transport, and healthcare. It also places responsibility on employees to follow safety instructions, avoid impairment at work, and cooperate with medical procedures after an incident.
Advertisements
Deliberate Self-Harm
The first exclusion concerns intentional self-injury. Under UAE labour law, an employee who deliberately hurts themselves forfeits the right to receive compensation for the resulting injury, regardless of the reason behind the act.
This rule is designed to prevent workers from claiming compensation for injuries that were not genuinely accidental. However, it also means that the circumstances surrounding an injury must be carefully examined. Authorities cannot simply assume that an injury was self-inflicted; they must reach a formal conclusion before denying a claim.
For employees, the practical implication is clear: an injury at work may not qualify for compensation if evidence shows it was intentionally caused by the worker.
Alcohol, Drugs or Psychotropic Substances
The second situation involves impairment. A worker may lose eligibility for compensation if investigations show that they were under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other psychotropic substance when the injury occurred.
This exclusion reflects the view that impaired judgment can increase the likelihood of accidents and put both the worker and colleagues at risk. In workplaces involving machinery, vehicles, heights, electricity, chemicals, or heavy equipment, impairment can turn a minor mistake into a serious injury.
The rule does not mean that every injury involving a worker who has consumed a substance will automatically be rejected. The article states that investigations must reveal that the worker was under the influence when the injury happened. That distinction matters because the authorities are expected to establish the facts before applying the exclusion.
Ignoring Safety Instructions
The third exclusion applies when an injury results from deliberate disregard for preventive safety instructions that are prominently displayed in the workplace.
This is one of the most significant rules for employees because safety guidance is often visible in workplaces: signs requiring helmets, harnesses, protective footwear, machine guards, restricted zones, or specific operating procedures. If a worker knowingly ignores such instructions and is injured as a result, they may lose the right to compensation.
The key word is “deliberate.” The rule is not aimed at workers who make an honest mistake or who were not properly informed. It targets situations where safety instructions were clearly available and the employee consciously failed to follow them.
Workers are therefore advised to familiarise themselves with the safety rules posted at their workplace. Understanding those rules before an accident occurs can make the difference between receiving compensation and losing access to financial support.
Deliberate Misconduct
The fourth exclusion covers injuries caused by an employee’s deliberate misconduct. This category is broader than ignoring a posted safety sign and may include reckless behaviour, intentional violations of workplace procedures, or actions that show a clear disregard for safety.
The principle behind the rule is that compensation is meant to protect workers from accidents, not to reward conduct that knowingly creates danger. If an employee’s own intentional misconduct causes the injury, the law may treat the incident differently from a genuine workplace accident.
As with the other exclusions, a formal investigation is required. Authorities must determine whether misconduct actually caused the injury before a compensation claim can be denied.
Refusing Medical Examination or Treatment
The fifth exclusion concerns cooperation after an injury. A worker may forfeit compensation if they refuse to follow the Medical Authority’s recommended course of treatment or refuse to undergo a medical examination without a valid reason.
This rule is important because medical assessments often determine the nature and extent of an injury. They may also establish whether the injury is work-related, how severe it is, and what treatment is necessary. Refusing an examination can make it difficult for authorities to verify the claim.
The article states that in such cases, the worker’s refusal can serve as justification for rejecting the compensation claim. Employees are therefore advised to cooperate with medical instructions after an incident, especially if they intend to pursue compensation.
The Burden of Proof
A crucial part of the UAE’s position is that authorities cannot deny compensation based on suspicion alone. Before a claim can be rejected, the law places the burden of proof on the appropriate authorities, who must investigate whether one of the five exclusions truly applies.
That safeguard is important because workplace injuries can be complex. A worker may have been impaired, may have ignored a safety rule, or may have acted carelessly, but that does not automatically prove that the injury was caused by those factors. A formal finding is necessary before a claim can be denied based only on conjecture.
In other words, the exclusions are not meant to give employers or authorities a blanket reason to reject claims. They are specific legal grounds that must be established through investigation.
What Workers Should Do
The guidance encourages employees in the UAE to take three practical steps: learn the safety regulations displayed at their workplace, avoid substances that could impair judgment while working, and follow medical instructions after any injury.
These steps may seem simple, but they can have major consequences. A worker who understands and follows safety procedures reduces the chance of an accident. A worker who avoids impairment protects both their health and their legal rights. A worker who cooperates with medical authorities strengthens their ability to pursue a claim if an injury does occur.
Why the Rules Matter
The five exclusions show that the UAE’s work-injury system seeks to balance worker protection with accountability. Employees are entitled to compensation when they suffer genuine workplace injuries, but that protection can be lost when deliberate self-harm, impairment, safety violations, misconduct, or refusal to cooperate is established.
For workers, the message is not that compensation is impossible to obtain. Rather, it is that rights come with responsibilities. Following workplace rules, staying alert on the job, and cooperating with medical procedures can protect both physical safety and financial recourse after an accident.
Advertisements