INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Employers were told on Sunday to heed an advisory from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) urging them to protect workers from heat stress amid hot weather being experienced across the country.
In a statement, House committee on labor and employment chair Fidel Nograles called on employers to abide by the Dole Labor Advisory No. 8 which lays out measures to avoid heat stress among workers.
READ: DOH chief reminds public: Hydrate, ‘cool off’ vs summer diseases
The DOLE advisory instructs employers to implement measures to reduce extreme heat exposure at work including ensuring adequate ventilation and heat insulation in workplaces, adjusting rest breaks and work locations as needed, providing personal protective equipment, and ensuring access to hydration for employees.
Adhere to the advisory
“Now that the official summer season has started, worsened by drought due to El Niño and climate change, we urge employers to adhere to the Dole advisory for the welfare of our employees,” Nograles was quoted as saying in Filipino.
“Let us be (re)minded that our workers’ health and welfare results to productivity gains for the organization,” he added.
The lawmaker, who is also the Rizal 4th district representative, cautioned that heat exposure may result in occupational illnesses and injuries.
“As they say, prevention is better than cure. For organizations, it is more practical to focus on occupational safety rather than dealing with the effects of negligence, which can lead to productivity loss, accidents, and potential legal cases due to violations of the law,” Nograles continued.
Hydrate
Meanwhile, the Department of Health also cautioned against the effects of high temperatures and told the public to hydrate amid the hot weather.
READ: DOH gives first-aid steps to prevent heat-related ailments
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), seven areas in the country may feel heat index temperatures within the “danger” level of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Pagasa forecast the following areas to have a “dangerous” heat index temperature:
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte—42 degrees Celsius;
- Dagupan City, Pangasinan—43 degrees Celsius;
- Aparri, Cagayan—43 degrees Celsius;
- Tuguegarao City, Cagayan—43 degrees Celsius;
- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan—42 degrees Celsius;
- Daet, Camarines Norte—42 degrees Celsius; and
- Cotabato City, Maguindanao—42 degrees Celsius.
State meteorologists define heat index as “a human discomfort index that gives the apparent temperature on what humans perceive or feel as the temperature (from the surroundings) affecting the body.”