Ensuring Compliance with Enhanced Measures to Protect Workers from Risk of Heat Stress

Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Manpower following the introduction of enhanced measures to protect outdoor workers from the risk of heat stress in October 2023 (a) how does the Ministry ensure compliance with the mandatory 10-minute rest break when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is met; (b) how many employers have breached the measure and what are the penalties imposed; and (c) whether the Ministry will look into tapping on technologies to ensure a higher level of compliance by employers to such measures.

The enhanced measures to reduce heat stress for outdoor workers were introduced in October 2023. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been conducting targeted inspections, prioritising high-risk workplaces and in response to public feedback. Of the 70 workplaces inspected, three had breached the mandatory 10-minute rest break measure. These three companies were issued composition fines or notices of non-compliance and have since put in place the required measures.

Besides providing rest breaks to workers, employers should implement on-site measures to reduce heat stress for outdoor workers. These measures include rescheduling outdoor physical work to cooler parts of the day where feasible, identifying and redeploying workers vulnerable to heat stress when the weather is hot, providing shade at work areas where feasible and acclimatising newly-assigned workers. Employers should also ensure adequate water intake by workers through scheduled hydration sessions and train workers to recognise symptoms of heat injury and report to supervisors early if they are feeling unwell.

The monitoring of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) by employers can be done through the use of WBGT meters or the National Environment Agency's myENV app. MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health Council have also provided recommendations on how heat stress management can be further enhanced with technologies, such as real-time on-site WBGT monitors or wearables that provide alert triggers to enable timely interventions for at-risk workers. Employers are also encouraged to provide ice slurries, rest areas with water mist sprays as well as cooling vests to remove heat from workers' bodies.