DOLE Urges Workplace Safety Amid Heat Wave

The Department of Labor and Employment has reiterated its call for employers to protect workers from extreme heat as rising temperatures across the country pose serious health risks.

In a public advisory, DOLE Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. emphasized the implementation of Labor Advisory No. 08, Series of 2023, which mandates safety and health measures to prevent and control heat stress in the workplace.

“All employers and workers in the private sector are directed to assess the risk of exposure of workers to extreme heat and its effect on other medical conditions such as hypertension and kidney diseases,” Rodriguez said.

The advisory comes amid an uptick in heat index levels in several areas of the Philippines, which have approached or exceeded the “danger” threshold of 42 degrees Celsius set by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Rodriguez said employers must prioritize preventive strategies, including effective ventilation and insulation to reduce indoor heat and humidity.

The advisory also allows for schedule adjustments such as extended breaks or relocation of work areas to shield workers from direct sun exposure.

Employers are instructed to provide heat-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE), including gear that protects against ultraviolet rays.

They must also supply free and adequate drinking water and encourage workers to consume two to three liters daily to maintain hydration.

The advisory further calls for awareness campaigns on heat stress, including training workers to identify symptoms and establishing clear emergency protocols for heat-related incidents.

To minimize exposure during peak heat hours, flexible work arrangements such as shifting work hours may be adopted, provided total daily or weekly hours remain compliant with labor standards.

“Flexible work arrangements can be agreed upon by workers and employers by adjusting the work hours while maintaining the total number of work hours within the day or week until such time that the weather condition has improved,” the advisory states.

Rodriguez assured that the DOLE Regional Office VI is ready to offer technical assistance to businesses seeking to review or update their occupational safety measures.

The health advisory is in line with the department’s broader occupational safety and health framework, guided by Republic Act No. 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act.

The law mandates all workplaces to adopt comprehensive safety policies and to protect employees from both physical and environmental hazards.

Increased cases of heat-related illnesses are typically recorded between March and May, when the dry season intensifies across the archipelago.

DOLE reiterated that failure to implement adequate protective measures could result in sanctions under existing labor laws and occupational safety regulations.

The department advised all employers to stay updated on official heat index bulletins and to prioritize the welfare of their workforce, particularly those in construction, agriculture, and outdoor service sectors.