Manila Water implements measures to protect workers from extreme heat

Manila Water and its contractors roll out measures to protect its workers and employees from heat-related illnesses.

As the country braves the soaring heat indices, Manila Water and its contractors roll out measures to protect its workers and employees in the East Zone of Metro Manila and Rizal Province from heat-related illnesses.

The company, through its contractors, has set up temporary facilities at the project sites that offer shaded and well-ventilated resting areas. These facilities are equipped with hydration stations and first aid for the workers.

Safety officers are also deployed to these facilities to closely monitor the health of the workers, particularly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when temperatures peak.

Heat-intensive jobs, such as welding, have been assigned to 2-3 workers with alternating schedules and tents for the work area to reduce the workers’ overexposure to high temperatures.

EXPLAINER: Prevent heat exhaustion, heat stroke, other related illness 

In some project sites, Manila Water contractors implement modified working hours with longer lunch breaks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Workers are then assigned to work during the cooler times of the day.

In the company’s different Service Areas, Manila Water employees are advised to avoid strenuous activities and fieldwork during temperature peak hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Manila Water values all its workers across the supply chain. That is why we implement these measures to ensure each person’s welfare, health, and safety through varying work conditions,” Manila Water’s Corporate Communications Affairs Group Director Jeric Sevilla said.

These heat mitigation measures by the East Zone Concessionaire and its contractors are implemented in support of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Labor Advisory No. 8 (released in 2023), which stipulates safety practices at the work sites during extreme heat.