Ministry outlines measures on what employers can do to reduce the impact of haze on the workforce
The air quality in Singapore has been unhealthy for nearly two weeks now, underscoring the responsibility of employers to minimise the health risks of haze on their staff.
Singapore's air quality remains "unhealthy," with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) value at 155 as of 2pm on 16 October, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
This is the 12th straight day of unhealthy air quality in Singapore, its longest streak since 2015. NEA attributed the haze to dense smoke plumes from sustained wildfires happening in neighbouring Indonesia.
What this means for HR
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has stressed that the primary responsibility for ensuring employees' safety and health at work lies with the employer.
Among the risks that employers should look out for is haze, and its impact on the workforce. MOM advised employers to take the following steps to protect staff:
- Identify susceptible employees.
- Identify types of outdoor work to be reduced when there is haze.
- Determine criteria for restricting outdoor work.
- Conduct mask fit testing for employees who are still required to work outdoors and ensure at least a one-week supply of N95 masks as part of companies' haze-related business continuity plans.
- Improve the efficiency of air cleaning devices.
- Implement a haze communication system between employer and employees.
Employers are also being urged to consider flexible working arrangements, such as adjusted work assignments, to shorten the time employees spend in outdoor work.
They should also ensure sufficient indoor rest breaks for workers performing outdoor work, as well as adequate hydration for workers.
"If prolonged or strenuous outdoor work is not avoidable at higher PSI, and an employer still requires an employee to do so due to extenuating circumstances, suitable masks or appropriate respirators should be provided," MOM said.
Employees who may experience breathing discomfort, tiredness, or headaches from wearing masks should also be deployed to work indoors, according to MOM.
"Risk assessment, taking into account the usage of the masks, individual employee's health conditions and nature of outdoor work should be conducted," it said.
"Elderly and pregnant employees as well as those with chronic heart/lung disease should consult their doctors on the usage of masks."
According to the ministry, employers should also have a communication system in place where employees can be updated regularly on mitigating measures, such as flexible work, to reduce the impact of haze on staff.
"The system should include channels for employees to report adverse effects suffered as a result of the haze," it added.
NEA said more showers are forecast over the weekend over Singapore and parts of Kalimantan in Indonesia, where the dense smoke haze from fires is coming from.
"Winds are expected to shift to blow from the southeast or south, which could reduce the transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore. Some smoke haze from Sumatra may however still drift towards Singapore," the agency's forecast said.
