Singapore to make cool water and breathable clothing mandatory for outdoor workers from Dec 1
Employers are also recommended to provide shaded rest areas that are well-ventilated and well-insulated or cooled.
Starting from December 1, Singapore will enforce mandatory policies for outdoor workers to protect them from heat-related risks. Employers are now required to provide cool drinking water, breathable clothing suited for hot climates, emergency ice packs, and training to their outdoor workforce. These measures join existing recommendations such as heat acclimatisation, hourly monitoring of wet bulb globe temperature, regular rehydration, rest under shade, and emergency response and reporting.
Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions like stop-work orders and fines. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash emphasized the importance of proactive steps to safeguard workers' health, as part of Singapore's efforts to strengthen resilience against rising temperatures. The enhanced measures aim to provide clearer expectations for employers while strengthening worker protection.
Further details on the implementation and effectiveness of these measures will be reported as they unfold.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
