DOLE-WV calls for safety against heat stress

Iloilo City- With the rising heat index, Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. reiterated Labor Advisory No. 08, S. 2023 to ensure the safety and health of workers exposed to extreme heat and call on employers to implement safety and health measures to prevent and control heat stress in the workplace.

All employers and workers in the private sector are directed to assess the risk of exposure of workers to extreme heat and its effect to other medical conditions such as hypertension and kidney diseases.

Effective ventilation and insulation in places with workers is also advised to eliminate heat and humidity in workplaces. Adjustments of rest and breaks or transfer of work locations may also be implemented to avoid direct heat exposure.

Labor Advisory No. 8 further directs employers to provide temperature-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment against ultraviolet rays. Free and adequate drinking water should also be made available in workplaces and workers should be encouraged to drink at least two to three liters daily. 

Employers are also directed to implement information and advocacy campaigns on symptoms and how to address heat stress and establish procedures and information networks to address heat-related emergencies.

To limit exposure to heat and strenuous activities, flexible work arrangement may be agreed upon by workers and employers by adjusting the work hours while maintaining the total number of work hours within the day or week until such time that the weather condition has improved.

Atty. Rodrigues assured the public that DOLE Regional Office VI is open to provide technical assistance in the review and development of appropriate safety and health measures to prevent and control heat stress at the work place.