SINGAPORE: Employers today have instructions on how to handle workplace safety during solid winds, heavy rain, lightning, heatwaves and fog.
These new guidelines, to help workplaces prepare for adverse weather, were released by the Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) and Workplace Safety and Health ( WSH) Council on Friday ( Apr 4).
They come as climate change impacts international climate designs and leads to more unstable temperature in Singapore, said MOM and the WSH Council in a joint press release.
There were three deaths caused by severe weather in the past five decades, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad told reporters , during a visit to the construction site for the Central Weave Build-to-Order straight project in Ang Mo Kio.
One occurred after strong winds toppled a pot, while two were related to thunder attacks.
One of the murders, on Jul 12, 2024, involved a contractor who was carrying out antenna setup works on an empty top. He collapsed after quiet storm was heard, and died the same day.
The new recommendations even come on the rear of , an advisory , issued last September urging companies to be prepared for stronger winds, hotter temperatures, longer dry spells and increased episodes of thunder and flash floods.  ,
While the actions announced on Friday are not required, employers and workers have responsibilities under the WSH Act to maintain healthy organizations, the regulators added.
For instance, companies may abide by laws protecting outside employees from the dangers of heat stress.
MOM said it will do checks to ensure the correct office safety measures are in place, and taking enforcement actions against employers and individuals who commit security lapses, they said.
Under the rules, companies are encouraged to assess the risks posed by severe climate, considering the precise nature of their business procedures, and prepare a response plan.
Stormy temperature, for example, causes security risks. Strong gusts over 60kmh may cause flying dirt and falling things, while floodwaters may damage structures and push away workers and objects, the guidelines position.  ,
While lightning, heatwaves and haze are less destructive, the guidelines urge employers to keep such weather in mind as well in developing comprehensive response plans.
” This includes clear communication systems, regular drills, and preparations to secure temporary structures and equipment”, said MOM and the WSH Council.
” Employers should also maintain communication with contractors to ensure their preparedness for adverse weather conditions”.
The guidelines urge employers to subscribe to alerts for strong winds, flash floods, lightning activity, heat stress and air quality.
Some of the recommendations to prepare for specific weather risks include:
- During strong winds – , dismantling, reinforcing or lowering and securing structures as needed, pausing outdoor work and evacuating workers from areas that could become collapse zones if a structure fails
- During extreme rainfall and floods – , proper shoring to stabilise the ground and prevent soil movement, training workers on flood-related risks like electrical hazards
- During lightning – , stopping outdoor work once there is thunder or lightning, moving workers to the nearest building or lightning-protected shelter, and away from isolated trees and lamp posts
- During heat stress – , acclimatising new workers and workers who have returned from long leave, rescheduling outdoor physical work to cooler times of the day when feasible
- During haze – , deferring non-essential work or rotating jobs to shorten time spent working outdoors, providing mechanical aids like trolleys and hoists to make jobs less strenuous
MOM and the WSH Council said the recommendations were broad as employers have varying operational demands across industry and firm size.
The guidelines provide a foundation for employers to build upon, they added.
Workplace deaths in Singapore rose to 43 last year, with a rate of 1.2 deaths per 100, 000 workers.
Twenty of the deaths occurred in the construction sector. This was the highest among any industry.
The top three causes of workplace fatalities last year were vehicular incidents, suffocating or drowning, and collapse or failure of structures and equipment.