Workers should take breaks amid intense heat to safeguard health — Koko

SENATOR Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III called on the government to put in place measures to ensure that workers would be able to take breaks when the heat gets too intense in order to safeguard their health.

Pimentel also urged the Department of Labor and Employment to work with the private sector to implement a similar policy.

 “As I said last year, there should be a temporary work break or compulsory rest periods when the heat index reaches a danger level,” Pimentel said in a statement.

According to him, the Philippines could follow the example of other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, and impose work limitations when the heat index rises to extreme levels.

He also suggested that the heat index threshold in the Philippines be lowered to 40 degrees Celsius, similar to what is observed in the UAE.

“I am very much concerned about the safety of our workers, especially those working outside directly exposed to the intense heat of the sun, including construction workers among others,” he said.

Working in extreme weather conditions could put them in harm’s way, he warned.

“May mga pamilya silang umaasa sa kanila. Ang pagpapalantad sa kanila sa diretsong init ng araw ay maaaring magdulot ng panganib sa kanilang buhay at kaligtasan,” he added.

Temperatures in the country have been soaring in recent weeks, following the start of the dry season.

Data from the country’s weather bureau showed that a heat index of 42 degrees Celsius was documented last Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

The NAIA monitoring station also logged a heat index of 43 degrees Celsius on March 28 and March 29, 44 degrees Celsius on March 27, and 42 degrees Celsius on March 26.