Employers urged to prepare haze protection measures for workers as Singapore monitors air quality

Employers planning outdoor or strenuous work should also refer to the one-hour PM2.5 concentration and its accompanying personal guide for an indication of current air quality.

Employers in Singapore have been reminded to take the necessary measures to protect their workers amid an ongoing risk of haze.

The Ministry of Manpower issued this reminder on Monday (10 August), in lieu of recent dry conditions which have led to an increase in hotspots and smoke plumes in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. With prevailing southeasterly winds, smoke haze from hotspots in the southern parts of Sumatra could be transported towards Singapore, the Haze Task Force said on Sunday.

As of 10am on 12 August, the country's 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) stands in the range of 60-77 overall, in the Moderate range.

Should the PSI reach the Unhealthy range (>100), employers are to implement the following measures shared by the HTF where necessary:

• Reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor work for healthy employees.
• Minimise such work for elderly or pregnant employees and avoid assigning prolonged or strenuous outdoor duties to workers with chronic heart or lung disease.
• Practical measures can include using mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion, rotating workers between tasks, providing indoor rest breaks and ensuring that employees have enough water to stay hydrated.

Additionally, employers planning outdoor or strenuous work should also refer to the one-hour PM2.5 concentration and its accompanying personal guide for an indication of current air quality, although readings may fluctuate during the day depending on weather conditions, especially during transboundary haze.

In a media release on Sunday, the HTF said the impact of haze differs from person to person, depending on their health, the PSI level and the duration and intensity of their outdoor activity. Employees with chronic heart or lung conditions should keep their medication readily available.

Workers who feel unwell or develop symptoms, particularly elderly persons, pregnant women, children and those with existing heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention promptly.

The National Environment Agency said it will continue to monitor the situation. If the 24-hour PSI enters the Unhealthy range, it will issue daily haze advisories, including a forecast to help the public plan activities and events for the following day.

Current air-quality readings and health advisories are available at www.haze.gov.sg, www.nea.gov.sg and via the myENV app.

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Lead image / MOM Facebook