Heat stress briefing
Why we are here
Singapore is hot and humid. Working in the heat can make you ill, and heat stroke can kill.
Today we cover four things: the early signs of heat illness, what puts you at risk, the measures at our site, and what to do in an emergency.
1. Early signs and symptoms
Know the early signs, in yourself and in your co-workers. If they are missed and not treated, they can turn into heat stroke.
Early signs can include:
- weakness or dizziness
- blurred vision or trouble seeing
- very strong thirst
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- headache
- muscle cramps
- shortness of breath or a fast heartbeat
- tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Heat stroke is the most serious. Signs can include:
- very high body temperature, often above 40 °C
- fainting, or not fully awake
- confusion
- fits (seizures)
If you feel unwell, or a co-worker looks unwell, tell your supervisor at once.
2. What puts you at risk
Heat illness depends on you, on your work and on the conditions around you.
You are at higher risk if you:
- are above 65 years old
- are pregnant
- are overweight
- are new to working in the heat, or have come from a country with a cold climate
- are back from leave of more than one week
- are unwell or recovering from illness
- have drunk alcohol, or have not slept enough
- have not drunk enough water
- have a long-term illness, take medicine, or have had heat illness before
Your work:
- heavy physical work, such as carrying, shovelling, or pushing and pulling heavy loads
- working in the open without shade
The conditions:
- high air temperature, high humidity, little wind and strong sun; the WBGT reading measures all of these
- heat from machines such as generators, or from hot processes such as welding
If any of the personal risks apply to you, tell your supervisor. You may need to see a doctor to be certified fit for outdoor work.
3. Our workplace measures
If you are new to Singapore or to outdoor work, have come from a country with a cold climate, are back from more than a week of leave, or are recovering from a long illness, your time in the heat is increased step by step over at least 7 days.
When the WBGT is 32 °C or above, heavy physical work stops for a rest break of at least 10 minutes every hour. At 33 °C and above, the break should be at least 15 minutes, and longer as the heat rises. Each break is one continuous rest in that hour; it is not split up or saved up for later. The rest break counts as paid working time, unless a scheduled break of 10 minutes or more in that hour, such as a tea break, already gives you the rest.
What you do every day:
- Drink at least 300 ml of water every hour.
- Take your breaks in a cool, shaded place.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothes.
- Look out for your co-workers.
- Work in the shade where you can.
- Wet yourself with water at breaks and meals.
- Eat proper meals and sleep well.
- Avoid too much alcohol or caffeine.
- In your first two weeks of work, do not push yourself too hard, especially if you have just come from a cooler country.
If you see that these measures are missing, tell your supervisor, HR or union first. If nothing is done, you can contact MOM. For a serious safety concern, you can also report it through MOM's SnapSAFE.
- Cool drinking water is at:
- Shaded rest area is at:
- Rest break times when the WBGT is 32 °C or above:
- Who checks the WBGT, and how you will be told:
- Clothing we provide:
4. Our emergency response
If a worker shows signs of heat stroke, or is drowsy or unconscious, call 995 for an ambulance at once.
If a worker collapses with no sign of injury, treat it as heat stroke: call 995 and start first aid at once.
While waiting for the ambulance:
- Move the person to a cool, shaded place with good air flow.
- Loosen or remove extra clothing.
- Cool the person down: apply cool water, wet towels and a fan.
- Put ice packs under the armpits and at the groin.
- If the person is awake and alert, give cold drinks.
- If the person is unconscious, give nothing to drink.
- If the person becomes unconscious, call for help at once; a trained first-aider should start CPR.
A worker who is not alert must get to hospital fast. Questions? Ask your supervisor.
Our company reports heat illness caused by work to MOM, so always tell your supervisor about a case.
- Site emergency contact and phone number:
- Cold water, ice packs and water spray are kept at:
- First-aider on site:
- Nearest hospital: