Builders are taking steps to reduce workers’ exposure to unhealthy levels of haze, even as they prepare to make claims for haze-related work delays.
Work on a number of construction projects has slowed since early September, when Singapore’s air quality first entered the Pollutant Standards Index’s (PSI) “unhealthy” range of 101 to 200, said construction lawyer Kelvin Aw.
Some builders have cut outdoor work hours, avoided crane deployment when visibility was poor, allowed more rest breaks and shifted workers to doing more indoor work to catch up with the project timetable, he added.
To help workers cope, Kajima Overseas Asia has conducted worker awareness briefings, increased the number of water coolers, installed misting fans and additional sheltered rest areas and also added more rest periods during severe haze conditions.
In addition, the contractor also identified susceptible workers with early symptoms of haze- related illness and conducted site audits to ensure subcontractors complied with all its mitigation measures.
Two ongoing public sector projects have suffered slower work progress as a result, it said.
Hi-Tek Construction corporate safety manager Raymond Lee added that it has reduced outdoor work when the 24-hour PSI is between 101 and 200.
He said supervisors also ensure workers are hydrated and take rest breaks in sheltered areas, and check on them three times a day to monitor their health.
Singapore has endured almost six weeks of hazy conditions this year so far.
On several days in October, the PSI entered the “very unhealthy” range of 201 to 300. — The Straits Times/ANN
