SINGAPORE: The haze in Singapore reached hazardous level on Thursday afternoon, with the PSI reading hitting a new all-time high of 371 at 1pm.
The latest reading surpassed the previous high of 321 recorded at 10pm on Wednesday night.
At 5pm, the PSI was at 268, which is classified as very unhealthy.
Singapore and Indonesia are scheduled to hold emergency talks in Jakarta later Thursday to tackle the haze issue.
According to the National Environment Agency, dry weather conditions and prevailing winds blowing the haze into Singapore are expected to persist for the next few days.
On Wednesday night, Minister for Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said whether a stop-work order will be issued will depend on the severity of the haze conditions.
Hear what Mr Balakhrishnan has to say on the haze situation on Channel NewsAsia's Talking Point which will telecast a Haze Special "LIVE" on June 20 at 8pm. Other guests on the show include Dr Loo Chian Min, Deputy Chair of the Haze Advisory Panel.
- CNA/fa
Hazewatch: PSI readings today
Today Online 20 Jun 13;
Tourism in Singapore takes a hit due to haze
Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Flyer and Seletar Airport, which services charted flights, have fallen victim to the haze on Thursday.
Both were closed as precautionary safety measures.
Seletar Airport was closed on Thursday from 11am till 11pm, and may be extended subject to visibility conditions.
Singapore Flyer will reassess the situation Friday morning to decide when it will re-open.
Visitors with tickets can get a refund or opt to visit it again when it re-opens.
Tourist Angelian Merry said: "I feel so sad because the Singapore Flyer is closed… We came from Indonesia just to ride the Singapore Flyer and see the view."
Chris Armand, a tourist from New Zealand, said: "To arrive in a place which is supposedly modern and very efficient and come to something like this is a complete shock. We've cut short our holiday. We were going to stay three days. We're now only staying one."
At Changi Airport, the haze completely blanketed the aerodrome, even as the air hub remained operational.
As a precaution, intervals between departing and arriving flights were doubled from a minute to two.
Two flights at Singapore's other civilian airport at Seletar were diverted to Changi and Johor Bahru in Malaysia, and eight departures cancelled.
Kuah Kong Beng, director of air traffic services at Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, said: "Seletar is a visual environment airport. Aircraft that intend to land at the airport must have the runway visual. So during the haze, the visibility at Seletar has dropped to less than 1,500 metres, and the visibility is now a range between between 700 to about 1,200 metres and as a result we will not be able to accept arriving aircraft or departing aircraft."
Meanwhile, Resorts World Sentosa said it had fewer visitors to its Adventure Cove Waterpark.
The integrated resort also tweaked the format of some shows due to the haze.
- CNA/xq
PAP town councils, PCF kindergartens take steps to help community cope with haze
Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: The PAP town councils and PCF kindergartens are also taking steps to help the community cope with the haze.
A post on the People's Action Party's Facebook page said to ensure safety and health of its workers, the town councils will adhere to MOM guidelines as they continue to provide essential conservancy services.
Non-essential outdoor services such as block washing will be postponed.
As for kindergartens under the PAP Community Foundation (PCF), they will follow guidelines under the Early Children Development Agency (ECDA) to limit outdoor activities and keep programmes to indoor air-conditioned spaces.
All centres will remain open unless instructed otherwise by ECDA, exercising vigilance over children with illnesses, especially those with asthma.
MPs will also be actively promoting information, as well as the specially-launched CHAS package to residents announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
Meet-the-People Sessions will continue to be held, with queue priority given to the elderly and vulnerable in the community.
PAP said it will assist fellow Singaporeans “to help them continue life as normal and to pull through this difficult period together”.
- CNA/xq
Companies take steps to protect staff from haze
Tan Qiuyi and Wong Siew Ying Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: Companies from various industries are taking steps to protect their staff from prolonged or unnecessary exposure to the haze.
These include distributing masks, redeployment of work and allowing staff to work from home.
Smoke from forest fires that is blanketing Singapore has hit hazardous levels on several occasions in recent days.
Homegrown company Pestbusters has issued N95 masks to some 80 workers who are required to work outdoors.
It has placed orders for two weeks' supply of masks at about S$5,000.
Despite the cost involved, the company has also instructed workers to cut down on outdoor work as far as possible in the interest of health.
It is also providing hourly updates on the air pollution level to staff through phone messaging.
Thomas Fernandez, chairman and CEO of PestBusters, said: “It will reduce our productivity, eventually there will be backlog of work to catch up. If there is an order from MOM to stop all the jobs, then we are looking at between S$15,000 to S$20,00 a day. This is not including loss of opportunities when other people looking for us to do certain jobs and we have to turn them down."
If the haze situation does not improve, Pestbusters said operations could be scaled back and staff may be put on rotation or asked to go on leave.
Meanwhile, logistics players such as SingPost and FedEx have also issued N95 masks to their outdoor staff.
Older employees or those with respiratory conditions have been re-assigned indoor tasks.
Fast-food chains like McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut have suspended their delivery services to protect their despatch riders.
Most organisations have a business continuity plan where they identify potential threats and devise measures that ensure business operations are not severely compromised. The scenarios planned for could include bomb threats, a pandemic and natural disasters like earthquakes. Experts said haze will probably be added to that list.
Professor Richard Arvey, department of management and organization at National University of Singapore Business School, said: "There is enough precedence here in Singapore and in Asia that there are sort of airborne vulnerabilities and that should spur companies to be more proactive. If individuals become ill as a result of this there's potential insurance cost. Psychologically if companies are not responsive, it sort of signals that they are not particularly conscious or aware or care about their employee's physical well-being. By being proactive I think signals a very positive, caring environment and that has intangible rewards in terms of morale, employment satisfaction and even turnover.”
Singapore lenders DBS Bank and OCBC Bank are installing carbon filters in the air distribution systems at their office premises and branches.
Meanwhile, Shell has taken steps to minimise staff exposure to the outdoors and has cancelled a family carnival on 19 to 22 June.
The Association of Banks in Singapore has postponed an outdoor event on Saturday which will be attended by some 1,000 bankers and top executives.
However, outdoor work continues in Singapore despite the haze.
In Nee Soon, the town council distributed masks to more than 300 cleaners.
The majority of town councils are postponing all non-essential work like landscaping and tree pruning.
Essential services like refuse removal will continue.
Teo Ho Pin, coordinating chairman of PAP Town Councils, said: "Let us focus on the PSI situation, the haze situation, and look into the welfare of our workers, and from there I think let us prioritise the maintenance work, and continue to provide essential services during these challenging times."
In addition, taxi drivers whom Channel NewsAsia spoke to are having a harder time than usual finding passengers, and they are seeing fewer flag-downs on the road.
The National Taxi Association said taxi drivers are feeling the brunt as business is down 25 per cent.
The drivers are still required to meet a minimum number of hours and mileage.
The association hopes the Land Transport Authority will review the indicators when the PSI level goes past 200.
On Thursday and Friday, 3,000 masks and 1,000 bottles of eye lotion will be handed out to taxi drivers at Changi Airport, taxi kiosks and pump stations.
- CNA/xq
Retailers in Singapore badly hit by haze
Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: The haze has hit local retailers badly with reduced foot traffic and sales are estimated have have dropped by 8 to 12 per cent, according to a dipstick survey by the Singapore Retailers Association (SRA).
In response to Channel NewsAsia's queries, SRA said suburban malls have not been as badly affected as stores in the city, as most people prefer not to venture too far away from their homes.
The haze is also expected to affect mall operators and retailers' promotional events during the June school holidays.
Most of the events are targeted at children, who are now expected to stay home.
SRA warned that the retail industry would be badly hit if the haze situation continues or worsens.
Many retailers, who are already facing high operating costs, could see their profit margins being further eroded, as more people stay indoors or at home.
- CNA/xq
Clinics & hospitals in S'pore see more patients with haze-related conditions
Olivia Siong and Hu Jielan Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: Some hospitals and medical clinics in Singapore said more people are seeing the doctor for haze-related conditions.
As of 4pm, the National University Hospital said there was a 10 per cent increase in patients on Thursday alone, compared to a week ago.
More workers have also taken ill.
The hospital said it has deployed portable or mobile air-conditioners to all subsidised wards.
Employees were also advised to review plans for outdoor activities. The hospital's playground area has also been closed off.
Associate Professor Malcom Mahadevan, head of emergency medicine department at National University Hospital, said: "There was a gentleman who was exposed to the haze and started developing chest pains. We had to admit the gentleman for a minor heart attack. Some of them already had preceding asthma and respiratory conditions that were exacerbated by the haze. So they were admitted for stabilisation, and hopefully (they will) be discharged soon."
Doctors said the young and the elderly are the most vulnerable.
Then Mun Tat, manager at Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home, said: "The patients who had heart and lung problems, respiratory problems before, we are putting a list to check on them two-hourly to make sure they have no breathing difficulties or irritations to the eyes, to the skin. We stopped all outdoor exercises, physiotherapy. The physiotherapist is doing massage indoors. Additionally, my nurses are donning N95 masks so they can carry on caring for our patients."
As for medical clinics, Raffles Medical said its patient load has gone up by 10 to 20 per cent over the past few days.
It has also issued 10 per cent more medical certificates.
Clinics under Parkway Shenton too, have seen an increase of about five per cent of patients with haze-related ailments in a week.
It has given out five per cent more medical certificates as well.
With the haze getting worse, doctors said that even those without existing medical conditions are likely to start to feel the effects of the haze. This is particularly so in the upper tract region, that is the eyes, nose and throat area.
Dr Gilbert Yeo, family physician at Parkway Shenton, said: "The most common would be those having asthma, so they have exacerbation of asthma and COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, otherwise known to layman as smoker's lung. So these are the people who are very vulnerable to the haze.
“We also see patients coming in for exacerbation of their allergic rhinitis, this which means sensitive nose in layman's terms and also their sensitive eyes.
“As for the normal person like myself, we feel a bit of throat discomfort, very irritable eyes, some of us may also have irritation of our noses. A simple remedy to do would be to drink water, of course, because that would reduce throat irritation. The other thing is to actually use a mask, even at home, or when you go out, and to avoid doing outside activities.”
Dr Yeo added: "Most of the common questions are the long-term effects, whether it will cause lung cancer. It will not cause lung cancer for this short-term haze. But those who already have asthma or lung disease tend to be very badly affected this period of time, and also the elderly and the young ones."
Polyclinics under SingHealth and National Healthcare Group (NHG) said they have not seen a noticeable increase in patients. NHG said it expects more patients in the next few days.
- CNA/xq
NTUC urges employers to ensure workers' safety amid ongoing haze
Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is urging employers to take immediate and proactive measures to ensure that the health and safety of their workers are safeguarded all times, as the haze situation here persists.
In a statement, NTUC's Assistant Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong said while no stop-work order has been issued by the relevant authorities at this point, employers should exercise discretion and flexibility and make necessary adjustments to their operations.
This is to minimise the risks posed by haze exposure to workers.
NTUC said appropriate protective masks must be issued to workers for outdoor work.
If they are unwell, workers must have the right to stop work and rest indoors.
Ms Cham added that workers should not be penalised for absence from work if it is due to the haze as this is beyond our control.
She said where appropriate, employers may also consider allowing workers to telecommute.
- CNA/fa
Pre-schools, nursing homes gird for more haze ahead
Ng Jing Yng Today Online 21 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE — One pre-school operator will designate “isolation rooms” for children who have respiratory issues at all its centres, while another is trying to procure air purifiers for its facilities. Others have ceased outdoor activities and kept their windows shut, providing masks for their staff and their young charges where possible.
These were among the measures taken by pre-school operators as they began girding themselves for what could be weeks of noxious haze. Nursing homes, likewise, have take steps to mitigate the situation for their elderly, such as by cutting down physiotherapy and strenuous activities.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) yesterday morning issued an advisory to all childcare centres instructing them to cancel all indoor and outdoor physical activities for children, keep them “strictly indoors” and close all doors and windows should the Pollutant Standards Index’s (PSI) 24-hour readings exceed 200.
YWCA Childcare Manager Sandy Koh said some children with caregivers have decided to stay home. “Across our centres, there is a 10 to 20 per cent absentee rate. Right now, we are trying to work out a deal with a supplier to purchase air purifiers but we are not sure if that is possible, as we will require several units for all our centres.”
At Agape Little Uni, staff decided to designate isolation rooms after an emergency meeting on the haze. Said its Overall Director Chris Lim: “We have also air-conditioned all our centres and kept the children indoors.”
A spokesperson from EtonHouse said its teachers have redesigned lesson plans and moved all “outdoor experiences” indoors.
Operators have also taken care to keep parents updated on developments and some said they have advised them to plan for alternative care arrangements should childcare centres have to close, as advised by the ECDA.
The PAP Community Foundation said all its centres will remain open unless instructed otherwise by the ECDA.
Another operator, NTUC First Campus, said a communications plan is in place to ensure that parents are informed promptly in the event of a centre closure. “Activity materials have been prepared and will be given to parents so that children can continue to learn and be engaged even at home,” it said.
Meanwhile, nursing homes like Ju Eng Home are keeping their spaces as well-ventilated as possible.
“We also cut down on physiotherapy as that can be too strenuous. We are keeping a very watchful eye over our elderly as well as our staff so that they won’t fall ill during this period,” said Nursing Director Helen Lee, adding that the elderly will be given masks if they ask for one.
Dr Tony Chia, Director of LC Nursing Home, said it has enough N95 masks on standby. “Our activities are all kept indoors now and we are monitoring the haze situation very closely,” he said. NG JING YNG
Seletar Airport closed due to haze
Today Online 21 Jun 13;
The authorities announced yesterday morning that Seletar Airport was closed to all departing and arriving flights until 5am today due to “prolonged poor visibility caused by the haze”.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said the closure may be extended, “subject to visibility conditions”. Yesterday’s visibility fluctuated between 700m and 1,200m, below the airport minimum operating requirement of 1,500m.
“The airport, which operates under visual meteorological conditions, is therefore not able to accept aircraft arrivals and departures as pilots would not have a clear view of the runway,” the CAAS said. Two arrivals were diverted to other airports and eight departures were cancelled.
Separately, a CAAS spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia that Changi Airport’s air traffic controllers have taken the precaution of increasing the separation between flight take-offs and landings, as the airport’s Runway Visual Range (RVR) was below 1,500m. This has not led to any “significant delays” in flight departures and arrivals, she said.
She added that the RVR fell to a low of 800m during the prolonged period of haze in 1997, but Changi Airport remained open for flight operations.
Companies take steps to protect workers from haze
Alfred Chua Today Online 21 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE — As the air quality worsened to a new low yesterday and the Government warning that hazy conditions could persist for weeks to come, some employers here have gone beyond distributing masks and provided workers with some measure of relief from the smog, although others chose to wait for the Government’s lead.
A day after the Republic registered a historical high Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading of 321 — which soared to 371 yesterday afternoon — some bosses, especially those whose employees work outdoors for prolonged periods, told them to cease work completely, suspended work when haze levels breached a threshold, or halted certain kinds of work. Others granted workers the day off, allowed employees to work from home, and even prepared chrysanthemum tea for workers.
For many companies, however, it was business as usual as they wanted “clearer direction from the relevant authorities” first, as construction firm Antara Koh’s Managing Director Jimmy Koh put it.
Meanwhile, the Labour Movement reiterated its call for employers to “take immediate and proactive measures” to safeguard the health and safety of workers.
The plight of those working outdoors for long hours, in particular, was highlighted by Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and the Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU). Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Tan said: “Our areas of (concern) remain focused on those working outdoors, especially if under strenuous conditions and/or being outdoors on a prolonged basis. We also need to ascertain essential services and how best to provide these in a manner that is safe for our workers.”
BATU Executive Secretary Zainal Sapari also urged companies “not to penalise workers who are unable to complete certain tasks or are taken ill due to the effects of the haze”.
Non-government organisation Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) also urged equal access to “precautions” against the haze for migrant workers.
Hiap Hoe Ltd, which has two ongoing building projects, was one of those not waiting for the authorities to act first. Its General Manager for constructions Charlotte Tan said work will cease when the PSI breaches 350, adding that workers are being asked to carry out more indoor work, such as plastering, “so that they don’t get exposed to the haze for too long”.
The PAP town councils also said non-essential maintenance services — landscaping work, block washing and spring-cleaning of market and food centres — will be postponed.
Maintenance workers will also avoid going to rooftops and water tank areas except for “emergency purposes”. Robert Bosch (South-east Asia) has advised its 750 employees to work from home with immediate effect, while photography company Meese Studios gave its workers the day off yesterday.
Its Director Irvin Tan said: “Should I (risk the health) of my wage workers? If these people, whom I’ve painstakingly sought to hire, fall ill, then it reflects badly on the humanity of our company and what we stand for.”
Royal Plaza on Scotts hotel is brewing chrysanthemum tea for all its employees, saying the tea’s anti-viral properties will provide relief for sore throat and respiratory problems.
Doctors urge precautions against exposure to haze
Tan Weizhen Today Online 21 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE — The health impact of the haze should not be underestimated and doctors have urged Singaporeans to take precautions against prolonged exposure to the poor air quality, which has plunged to hazardous levels in recent days.
In particular, they cited the record levels of PM2.5 concentration, or very fine particulate matter.
They added that while the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading of PM10 concentration — which was updated more regularly until today — tend to dominate the headlines, Singaporeans should pay attention to the PM2.5 reading as well.
For example, the PM2.5 concentration went up to about 304 μg/m3 at 4pm yesterday, way past its normal levels of between 20 and 40 μg/m3.
The PM2.5 concentration reading measures small particles of less than 2.5 microns in diameter, which can slip past the nasal passages into the lungs and blood streams, potentially creating an entire host of problems from heart attacks to stroke and even brain damage in extreme cases.
In comparison, the PM10 concentration reading tracks particles that are less than 10 microns in diameter, which get trapped in the nasal passage.
Nevertheless, the doctors stressed that the severity of conditions depends on the amount of pollutants breathed in by a person, so the exposure during normal commuting would not be considered too hazardous.
Associate Professor Philip Eng, a Senior Consultant in respiratory medicine, said: “The much smaller PM2.5 particles can go anywhere in the body, any organs. This can trigger inflammation of the blood vessels and lead to heart attacks, even in people with no history of heart disease.”
He added that inflammation could occur in unborn fetuses and these children have a higher risk of developing asthma after they are born.
Mount Elizabeth Respiratory Consultant Ong Kian Chung said one of the effects could even be brain damage, occurring at a similar level to people with Alzheimer’s disease. “But the effect is dose dependent. How long people need to be breathing in the polluted air to suffer such hazardous effects is not known,” he said.
Dr Ong added that, for average office workers, the PSI levels of beyond 300 do not pose a threat so severe that they have to stop working or work from home. “But for people who work outside, such as delivery drivers, it is hazardous, as they work outside all day long. Their number of working hours should be limited and they must be made to wear N95 masks,” he said.
The doctors also recommended that people wear N95 masks and close all windows and doors at home to bring down their exposure to the haze.
But Dr Lee Lay Tin, Head of Occupational Health Department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, cautioned that these masks are only effective if they are of the correct size and fit. She advised those with respiratory ailments to consult their doctors on the use of respirator masks before buying them.
She said as much as 60 per cent of the haze particles may penetrate indoors, depending on air flow, and using air-conditioning and closing windows and doors may bring down the level.
On the use of air purifiers, she noted that they “may help reduce levels of smaller airborne allergens, particles, or, in some cases, gaseous pollutants in a home”. “However, air cleaners may not reduce adverse health effects, particularly in sensitive populations such as children, people with asthma and allergies, and the elderly. They also need to be properly maintained to be effective,” she said.
Air-con, fans for subsidised wards
Hospitals keep windows closed but provide cool, clean air for patients
Salma Khalik and Poon Chian Hui Straits Times 21 Jun 13;
PUBLIC hospitals are rushing to set up mobile air-conditioners, air blowers and fans to ensure clean air for their subsidised patients.
With the haze hitting hazardous levels, patients in B2- and C-class wards can no longer enjoy fresh air through open windows.
It becomes very stuffy when all the windows are closed, said Mr Joe Sim, chief executive of National University Hospital (NUH).
So, it has taken out its stock of more than 100 mobile air-conditioners and put them in these wards.
Changi General Hospital, on the other hand, is "blasting" air into the wards, said Mr T.K. Udairam, head of Eastern Health Alliance, which runs the hospital. This forms a positive pressure that forces used air out through the doors, so the air in the wards remains fresh.
At Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), fans and air blowers are being rented and leased. It is also grouping patients at greater risk from the haze in special wards with greater protection.
Last night, the Health Ministry's director of medical services, Professor K. Satku, said not all patients need to be in wards with closed windows, only those who are frail or have underlying medical conditions.
KTPH is also limiting each patient to two visitors at one time.
"This is especially important as the windows in the ward areas are closed or nearly closed. Having many visitors in the wards may compromise the comfort level of our patients," said its spokesman.
The hospital's emergency department is seeing about 30 per cent more patients with asthma this month. NUH reported 10 per cent more patients at its emergency department yesterday.
At a press conference last night, the Health Ministry said there was usually a one- to three-day lag between bad haze and a rise in patient numbers. But polyclinics and hospitals are ready to cope with an expected surge.
It advised people to stay indoors today, as the 24-hour PSI is expected to be between 200 and 300. If they need to be outside for long periods, they should wear an N95 mask. Even healthy adults should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity, it said.
Already, more people are heading to neighbourhood clinics with haze-related ailments, from itchy eyes to cough, asthma and chest pain. Doctors are also handing out more medical certificates (MCs) for sick workers to stay home.
Raffles Medical, which has 72 clinics, has seen the number of patients surge 20 per cent, said Dr Tan Joo Peng, its senior manager and physician leader.
Dr Philip Koh, chairman of the medical board at the Healthway chain of 53 clinics, said he has given about 20 per cent more MCs at his Tampines branch. "I haven't had to send anyone to hospital yet, but if this situation persists, I might have to," he added.
SingHealth Polyclinics has seen about 400 asthma patients since Monday, up from 340 in the same period last week, said family physician Jason Tan.
At Bukit Batok Polyclinic, shipyard worker Zaw Min Aung, 35, was spotted with a mask over his face. The Myanmar national, who was upset that the haze has interrupted his work and sleep, had to take the next two days off work.
Beauty consultant Faezah Sanim, 20, said her family of four has fallen ill from the haze.
But many acknowledge there is little they can do. Housewife Jolene Quek, 50, is relying on her air-conditioners. "I make warm chrysanthemum tea for my children and make sure they stay indoors as much as possible," said the mother of two.
Dr Elaine Tan of the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics said that with the dengue outbreak and the threat of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, clinics "may need to prioritise in attending to at-risk groups and those in need of urgent care".
N95 masks will not run out: MOH
Straits Times 21 Jun 13;
By yesterday afternoon, most pharmacies had run out of N95 masks. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
SINGAPORE will not run out of N95 masks, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said as it released some of its stock of nine million masks to pharmacy stores last night.
These are the only commercially available masks that will keep out the microscopic PM2.5 particles. These particles, if breathed in, could sink deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. This could affect the lungs and the heart.
By yesterday afternoon, most pharmacies had run out of these masks owing to overwhelming demand. But fresh stock from the ministry arrived on their shelves by last night.
MOH's director of medical services K. Satku said it had ordered more masks, so there is no likelihood of Singapore running short of them.
With an expected 24-hour PSI of between 200 and 300 today, people who are outdoors for long should protect themselves with an N95 mask, MOH advised. Employers should provide such masks to staff who work outdoors.
Firms provide help for workers
Many issue masks to staff or cut back duties
Daryl Chin, Lester Wong And Andrea Ong Straits Times 21 Jun 13;
WITH the haze at record levels, Singapore's companies adopted varying approaches yesterday to protecting employees working outdoors.
Most tried to balance the continuing need to meet deadlines and deliver essential services with the welfare of their workers. So, while it was business as usual for most of the construction firms, many issued masks and conducted safety briefings.
Some, like engineering firm McConnell Dowell, which has ongoing projects in Jurong Island and Orchard Road, went further. It sent its 500 workers home yesterday afternoon.
"A few of our guys were coughing or had eye irritation, so we let them all go," said regional operations manager David Christodoulou, "Some clients may not be too happy, but in the long run, it is our workers who will get sick if they continue working."
Hexacon Construction general manager Dominic Choy suspended strenuous activities, such as plastering or working on reinforcement bars, in the afternoon, and added that work would stop if the Pollutant Standards Index went beyond the 400 mark.
The PSI level soared to a record-high level of 371 at 1pm yesterday, surpassing Wednesday's record of 321 and 1997's record of 226.
The polluted air is deemed "hazardous" when the PSI breaches 300.
On Monday, the Manpower Ministry said employers had a duty to protect their employees' safety and health at work, and must carry out proper risk assessments to mitigate the effects of the haze.
Workers providing essential public services were given the necessary protection or had their duties cut back or modified.
SingPost also set up a hotline for its 1,400 couriers and postmen in case they needed assistance. Masks and eyedrops were also given to them on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Comfort has started issuing masks to its taxi drivers, and advised them to drive carefully, as visibility on the roads is poor.
Over at the ports, operators like Jurong Port reduced outdoor work assignments for employees with existing heart or respiratory conditions and those above 55 years old, or reassigned them indoors.
A National Parks Board spokesman said workers had been told to scale back on outdoor activities and to seek medical attention if they were feeling unwell.
Dr Teo Ho Pin, coordinating chairman for People's Action Party town councils, said non-essential maintenance services such as landscaping works, block washing, tree pruning and the removal of bulky items have been postponed.
Essential services such as lift rescues and emergency repairs will continue as usual, but these workers will be issued masks, he added.
An Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council spokesman said projects delayed by the haze would be granted a deadline extension. Staff were given masks and advised to stay indoors whenever possible.
But there were also service providers that decided to cease operations altogether.
The Red Cross said it was keeping its First-Aider on Wheels - a volunteer patrol along East Coast Park - behind closed doors.
McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut all suspended deliveries completely.
Pastamania initially suspended deliveries but later re-started the service using vans and cars instead of motorcycles. "We cannot promise that we can deliver to all areas, but we will do our best," it said on its Facebook page.
S'poreans join hands to help people weather haze
They donate and distribute masks to needy, or offer homes as shelter
Amelia Teng Straits Times 21 Jun 13;
AMID the haze, groups of people have shown there is a kinder side to Singaporeans.
Several ground-up initiatives to help others have emerged, with one formed yesterday by Mr Jeremy Chua, a liberal arts student at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, United States.
It is called SG Haze Rescue.
The 25-year-old started a Facebook page calling for people to help and donate their excess masks, almost immediately after seeing the Pollutant Standards Index rise to 321 on Wednesday evening.
Mr Chua, who is back home for the summer holidays, was inspired by community initiatives in the US where people offer shelter to the needy in times of crises.
"The haze is a crisis for us, and Singaporeans should come together not to complain, but to do things for one another," he said.
Within a day of making his call on Facebook, Mr Chua received a donation of 200 masks.
He and a group of 10 volunteers spent two hours last night distributing them in five Housing Board blocks at Toa Payoh Lorong 2.
"I see a lot of people complaining about the haze on social media, but hardly anyone is doing anything about it, so I am trying to make a difference and help others," he said.
About 120 people have e-mailed him to offer help.
He expects to receive nearly 2,000 masks by today, and intends to distribute them in the next few days.
He has also started a Google Documents form for people who want to offer their homes to anyone who needs temporary shelter.
Fewer than 10, however, have responded, and one of them is Mr Tong Yee, 39, director of a group of social enterprises known as Thought Collective.
He offered his Namly Crescent home in Bukit Timah, where he lives with his family - his parents, younger sister, wife and three daughters.
"My family's a bit concerned that I am offering our home to strangers, but it is a small risk compared to people's needs," he said, adding that his group of friends are also keen to offer their homes.
As of yesterday, there were no takers, but he said that his home and those of his friends can accommodate about 50 people altogether.
Other civic-minded Singaporeans are also going to HDB flats to distribute masks to the needy.
A group of friends, including Mr Tong and Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Clarence Ching, 18, have arranged for about 5,000 masks to be given to families in four estates: Bukit Ho Swee, Toa Payoh, Jalan Besar and Jalan Kukoh.
Singer Elson Soh, 25, with volunteers from Project Awareness, a group he started to help the needy, will also distribute masks and herbal tea drinks to more than 50 families tomorrow.
"Most of these families do not know how to protect themselves from the haze, and they cannot afford to fall sick because many of them are old and have medical conditions," said Mr Soh.