Haze in Singapore: Companies step up precautions for outdoor workers

Some employers are distributing N95 masks, issuing health reminders and preparing to adjust work arrangements if air quality worsens.

SingPost staff receiving N95 masks as part of measures to reduce their exposure to the haze. (Image: CNA)

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SINGAPORE: Companies are stepping up precautions for employees amid the ongoing haze , with some prepared to introduce additional measures if air quality worsens.

Several firms have begun distributing N95 masks and issuing health reminders.

For workers who spend long hours outdoors, employers are also looking at ways to reduce their exposure should conditions deteriorate.

N95 & DAILY BRIEFINGS FOR POSTMEN

At Singapore Post (SingPost), business remains as usual as employees sort and deliver mail and parcels.

But before postmen head out on their rounds, they are also being handed N95 masks, which help to filter out airborne particles.

SingPost has secured a nine-week supply to distribute to staff daily across its operations.

"We have also reminded our staff to top up their water bottles and to keep hydrated,” said the company’s head of operations, Mr Goh Chee Hiong.

“At the same time, to monitor their health symptoms, especially breathlessness or eye irritation.”

Mr Goh added that employees presenting symptoms should report to their supervisors so the postal operator can make arrangements for them to rest.

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Staff are also briefed daily on Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) levels in their respective delivery areas. This allows them to plan their routes and breaks, as postmen can spend up to six hours outdoors during a shift.

Inspector of Post Muhammad Aizuddin Musa said he has suffered from a sore throat while working during the haze.

"Usually, I keep on drinking more water, so that's what I do to finish my job," he said.

SingPost said supervisors should check on employees who may be more vulnerable to the haze and adjust or redistribute their workloads where needed.

Mr Aizuddin added that workers are allowed to take breaks when necessary without having to press on until their deliveries are completed.

"We are never pushed out just to hit the numbers. At the end of the day, safety is our priority. We make sure everyone gets back home safely," he said.

Mr Goh said that if air quality reaches hazardous levels, the postal service will continue essential deliveries but cut workloads to allow for longer breaks.

REDUCING PROLONGED OUTDOOR WORK

Under the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) haze guidelines, a 24-hour PSI reading of 101 to 200 is considered unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and readings above 300 hazardous.

MOM has advised employers to carry out risk assessments and find ways to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor work during haze episodes.

At Shell petrol stations, pump attendants have been advised to move indoors as often as they can once the PSI moves beyond 100, such as into air-conditioned convenience stores during their breaks.

A Shell petrol station staff member directs traffic amid the haze. (Image: CNA)

The company's general manager for mobility and convenience in Singapore, Mr Doong Shiwen, said staff are being given N95 masks and reminded to stay hydrated.

“For site staff (who) have come forward with pre-existing conditions, we try to accommodate perhaps more rest times, certainly better hydration during this period,” Mr Doong said.

“And if the need arises, should (the PSI) go higher, then of course we will recalibrate where we deploy them.”

Shell said it generally follows guidance from the National Environment Agency (NEA) and other regulatory guidelines. So far, the company has not seen an increase in requests from staff for additional breaks.

Mr Doong said that if conditions worsen, Shell could require staff to move indoors during breaks or quieter periods.

He added that the company has drawn on its experience from previous haze episodes, with N95 masks now better stocked and communication with service staff clearer.

FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS IF HAZE WORSENS

For employees who can work remotely, flexible work arrangements are another option employers are keeping on the table.

OCBC said such arrangements can be implemented if haze conditions deteriorate further, particularly for elderly or pregnant employees and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

For now, the bank has made N95 masks available to staff and advised them to minimise prolonged outdoor exposure when air quality worsens.

It has also reminded employees to stay hydrated, monitor official air quality updates and seek medical attention if they experience haze-related symptoms.

OCBC's head of group operational risk management Gary Chong said the bank is mindful that some employees may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze.

"If there is further deterioration of the haze, flexible working arrangements can be implemented where possible to support their well-being," he said.

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一些雇主正在分发 N95 口罩，发布健康提醒，并准备在空气质量恶化时调整工作安排。

新加坡邮政员工获发N95口罩，以减少他们暴露于雾霾环境的风险。（图片：CNA）

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新加坡：在持续的雾霾天气下，各公司正在加强对员工的防护措施，如果空气质量恶化，一些公司准备采取更多措施。

多家公司已开始分发N95口罩并发布健康提示。

对于长时间在户外工作的工人，如果情况恶化，雇主也在考虑如何减少他们的暴露风险。

N95口罩及邮递员每日简报

新加坡邮政（SingPost）的业务照常进行，员工们照常分拣和投递邮件和包裹。

但在邮递员出发送信之前，他们还会领到 N95 口罩，这种口罩有助于过滤空气中的颗粒物。

新加坡邮政已储备了足够九周使用的物资，将每天分发给其各运营部门的员工。

“我们也提醒员工要及时补充水分，保持水分充足，”公司运营主管吴志雄先生说。

“同时，监测他们的健康症状，特别是呼吸困难或眼睛刺激等症状。”

吴先生补充说，出现症状的员工应向主管报告，以便邮政运营商可以安排他们休息。

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员工每天都会收到各自投递区域的污染物标准指数 (PSI) 水平简报。这有助于他们规划投递路线和休息时间，因为邮递员在轮班期间可能需要在户外工作长达六个小时。

邮政督察穆罕默德·艾祖丁·穆萨表示，他在雾霾期间工作时喉咙痛。

“通常情况下，我会不停地喝水，这样才能完成我的工作，”他说。

新加坡邮政表示，主管应关注可能更容易受到雾霾影响的员工，并在必要时调整或重新分配他们的工作量。

艾祖丁先生补充说，工人可以根据需要休息，不必非得坚持工作直到完成交付。

“我们绝不会为了完成指标而贸然行动。归根结底，安全才是我们的首要任务。我们会确保每个人都能安全回家。”他说道。

吴先生表示，如果空气质量达到危险水平，邮政服务将继续进行必要的递送，但会减少工作量，以便延长休息时间。

减少长时间户外工作

根据人力部 (MOM) 的雾霾指导方针，24 小时 PSI 读数在 101 至 200 之间被认为是不健康的，201 至 300 之间是非常不健康的，而高于 300 的读数则被认为是危险的。

人力部建议雇主进行风险评估，并寻找方法减少雾霾期间长时间或高强度的户外工作。

壳牌加油站已建议加油员在 PSI 值超过 100 时尽可能多地到室内活动，例如在休息期间到有空调的便利店里活动。

雾霾中，一名壳牌加油站工作人员正在指挥交通。（图片：中央社）

该公司新加坡出行及便利服务总经理董世文先生表示，公司已向员工发放 N95 口罩，并提醒他们保持水分充足。

Doong先生说：“对于主动提出患有既往疾病的现场工作人员，我们会尽量安排更多的休息时间，当然也会确保他们在这段时间内得到更好的补水。”

“如果需要，如果（PSI）更高，那么我们当然会重新调整它们的部署地点。”

壳牌公司表示，其通常遵循国家环境局（NEA）及其他监管机构的指导意见。到目前为止，该公司尚未收到员工要求增加休息时间的请求。

Doong先生表示，如果情况恶化，壳牌公司可能会要求员工在休息时间或较为清闲的时段转移到室内工作。

他还补充说，公司吸取了以往雾霾事件的经验，现在N95口罩的储备更加充足，与服务人员的沟通也更加清晰。

如果雾霾加剧，将采取灵活的工作安排。

对于可以远程办公的员工来说，灵活的工作安排是雇主们正在考虑的另一种选择。

华侨银行表示，如果雾霾情况进一步恶化，可以实施此类安排，特别是针对老年员工、孕妇员工以及患有既往疾病的员工。

目前，该银行已向员工提供 N95 口罩，并建议他们在空气质量恶化时尽量减少长时间的户外活动。

公司还提醒员工保持水分充足，关注官方发布的空气质量更新信息，如果出现与雾霾相关的症状，应及时就医。

华侨银行集团运营风险管理主管 Gary Chong 表示，该行意识到一些员工可能更容易受到雾霾的影响。

他说：“如果雾霾进一步恶化，可以尽可能实施灵活的工作安排，以保障他们的身心健康。”

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