MANILA — Workers could be allowed to go home early, have their shifts shortened or be temporarily relieved of their duties when extreme heat reaches dangerous levels, under new workplace safety guidelines being developed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ahead of the anticipated Super El Niño.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the department is preparing four heat-index alert categories that would guide employers in determining when working conditions become hazardous and what protective measures must be implemented to safeguard employees against heat-related illnesses.
“(Maglalabas kami) ng categories ng mga heat indexes. Danger, extreme danger, caution, extreme caution, depende sa heat index,” Tolentino said during an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “Agenda.”
Under the proposed guidelines, a heat index of 52 degrees Celsius could warrant work suspensions, shortened shifts or early dismissal to prevent workers from suffering heat exhaustion, heatstroke and other potentially life-threatening conditions.
Restrictions could also be imposed once the heat index reaches 42°C, particularly for employees whose duties require prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Tolentino said office messengers could be prohibited from performing outdoor assignments during dangerously hot conditions, while security guards stationed outside banks and commercial establishments, as well as parking attendants, could be allowed to seek shelter in shaded areas.
The proposed safeguards would also cover employees working in air-conditioned offices who may occasionally be required to perform duties outdoors.
The heat index measures how hot the weather feels to the human body when air temperature and relative humidity are combined. Prolonged exposure to high heat-index levels can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be fatal without immediate medical intervention.
Apart from possible work suspensions and reduced working hours, DOLE is considering requiring employers to improve workplace ventilation, provide sufficient drinking water and establish shaded rest areas for employees.
Workers may also be allowed to wear lighter, more breathable uniforms to minimize heat exposure and discomfort.
Employers could likewise introduce flexible work arrangements, staggered schedules or adjusted working hours to reduce employees’ exposure during the hottest periods of the day.
Tolentino emphasized that the proposed measures are intended to protect not only outdoor workers but also employees in enclosed workplaces where inadequate ventilation and high temperatures could pose occupational health risks.
The labor department is also preparing guidelines on compensation for workers who suffer heat-related injuries or illnesses while performing their duties.
Such claims may be covered through the Employees’ Compensation Commission, which administers compensation benefits through the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System.
Tolentino said protecting workers against extreme heat would also benefit employers by preventing illnesses, minimizing work disruptions and maintaining productivity.
The planned advisories come amid concerns that the anticipated Super El Niño could aggravate already hazardous working conditions, particularly in construction, transportation, agriculture, security services and other labor-intensive industries.
DOLE expects to issue four labor advisories covering November through March, providing employers and employees with guidance on workplace safety measures during periods of extreme heat.
The proposed heat-index thresholds and corresponding work restrictions have yet to be finalized, and their implementation will depend on the official guidelines to be issued by the labor department.
Once adopted, the measures could establish clearer standards for determining when extreme heat warrants adjustments to working hours or temporary suspension of work to protect employees’ health and safety./PN
