Heat-related incidents among workers 'remained low' over the past five years
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has taken enforcement actions against 23 employers for breaches on the state's enhanced heat stress measures.
The measures, which took effect in October 2023, aims to reduce heat stress for outdoor workers in Singapore as a warmer climate puts them at high risk.
Since its implementation, MOM said it has inspected close to 70 workplaces and took enforcement actions against 23 of them for breaches.
"We have worked with these employers to rectify the lapses and put in place measures to protect their workers from risk of heat injury," MOM said in a statement.
So far, there have only been two heat-related incidents reported in Singapore since the enhanced measures' implementation last year, MOM added. The number of reported heat-related incidents has also remained low in the past five years, with no more than five incidents annually.
Enhanced Measures to Reduce Heat Stress
MOM's Enhanced Measures to Reduce Heat Stress for Outdoor Workers was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health's Heat Stress Expert Panel, government agencies, and various employer associations.
Under the measures, employers are required to monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) every hour of outdoor work performed.
The WBGT is an internationally recognised measurement that considers main environmental factors contributing to heat stress. If this hits 32 or higher, a minimum rest break of 10 minutes hourly under shade has to be provided to workers doing heavy physical activities, according to MOM.
The measures also encourage workplaces to implement a buddy system for early recognition of heat injury symptoms among employees.
Every year, more than 18,900 employees across the world die due to excessive heat, data from the International Labour Organisation previously revealed.
It comes as the world enters an era of "global boiling," according to the United Nations, which urged governments and organisations worldwide to make progress towards climate action.
Governments across the world, including Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, have been carrying out measures to protect workers in response to the warming climate.
