SINGAPORE – Employers must now provide hourly breaks for outdoor workers during periods of intense heat, according to enhanced measures announced by t
SINGAPORE – Employers must now provide hourly breaks for outdoor workers during periods of intense heat, according to enhanced measures announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). These guidelines, developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health’s Heat Stress Expert Panel, aim to address the increased risk of heat stress faced by outdoor workers in Singapore’s rising temperatures.
The new measures focus on four key areas: acclimatization, hydration, rest, and shade. MOM emphasized that new outdoor workers should be gradually introduced to outdoor tasks, while all outdoor staff should be given hourly breaks in shaded areas to cool down. Hydration is also mandatory at least once an hour.
Employers are required to monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) hourly, especially during peak heat hours. Construction sites with contracts over S$5 million, along with shipyards and the process industry, must have on-site WBGT meters by January 1, 2024.
When WBGT readings exceed 32°C, workers engaged in heavy physical activities must receive a 10-minute break each hour in a shaded area. Those with pre-existing health conditions may require longer breaks as recommended by their doctors. MOM also advises implementing a buddy system to spot early signs of heat injury.
The ministry will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with these measures, reinforcing MOM’s commitment to worker health and safety under extreme heat conditions.
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