PORT MARINE CIRCULAR NO. 13 OF 2023 ENHANCED MEASURES TO REDUCE HEAT STRESS RISKS FOR OUTDOOR WORKERS
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
PORT MARINE CIRCULAR
NO. 13 OF 2023
03 Nov 2023
Shipping Community
Harbour Craft Community
Pleasure Craft Community
ENHANCED MEASURES TO REDUCE HEAT STRESS RISKS FOR OUTDOOR
WORKERS
- This circular highlights the enhanced measures to reduce heat stress risks for
outdoor workers in the maritime sector in accordance with the Ministry of Manpower’s
(MOM) directive published on 24 October 2023.
- Rising temperatures in Singapore will place workers, especially outdoor workers,
at an increased risk of heat stress. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), in consultation with
the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s Heat Stress Expert Panel, has introduced a combination of
measures focusing on the four aspects of acclimatize, drink, rest and shade to protect
outdoor workers across various industries.
- Employers are also required to monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
for every hour of outdoor work performed, especially during the hotter periods of the day.
Workplaces can use National Environment Agency (NEA)’s myENV app to monitor WBGT
readings. Construction sites with a contract sum of S$5 million or more, shipyards and the
process industry, will be required to have a WBGT meter on-site for localised measurements
as these workplaces are likely to have prolonged outdoor activities.
- Employers will be required to implement these measures to reduce heat stress
risks for outdoor workers and MOM will conduct inspections at workplaces to ensure that
these measures are adequately implemented. More information on the enhanced measures
can be found at go.gov.sg/heatstress-outdoorwork. Please email Ms Chen Miaosi at
chen_miaosi@mpa.gov.sg if you have additional queries on this circular.
CAPT CHONG JIA CHYUAN
PORT MASTER
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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