The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged private employers to provide their workers with free and adequate drinking water, adjusted rest breaks as the weather conditions continue to warm up due to the El Nino phenomenon.
The call is part of the department’s measure to remind employers to observe health and safety measures to prevent and control heat stress to minimize its impact at the workplace.
Labor secretary Bienvenido Laguesma issued Labor Advisory No. 8, series of 2023, recommending measures to avoid heat stress, which includes reducing extreme heat exposure of employees through adequate ventilation and heat insulation in workplaces; adjusting their rest breaks or work locations; allowing them to use temperature-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment; and providing them with free and adequate drinking water.
Other recommended schemes include conducting advocacy campaigns on identifying and addressing symptoms of heat stress at the workplace and establishing procedures and information networks to address heat-related emergencies.
The health and safety measure advisory also urges employers, with the concurrence of the workers, to adopt flexible work arrangements that allow work hours adjustments while maintaining the total number of work hours within the day or week until the weather condition has improved.
The DOLE also said that employers are encouraged to coordinate with the DOLE Regional Offices and Occupational Safety and Health Center-Regional Extension Units for technical assistance in reviewing and developing safety and health measures related to heat stress prevention and control at the workplace.