Construction companies prepared to deal with haze

Sharon See Channel NewsAsia 21 Mar 14;

SINGAPORE: Construction companies have said they are prepared to deal with the haze, if it returns.

One company told Channel NewsAsia it has refined its "haze contingency plans" based on last year's experience.

Authorities said on Thursday that the haze may return by late March, when Singapore is expected to enter the inter-monsoon period.

Even when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is under 100, managers at one construction company have been tasked to check workers every morning, whether they feel fit for work.

Dr Ho Nyok Yong, chief operating officer of Samwoh Corporation, said: "When this trickles into 101 to 200, it will be classified as an 'unhealthy' condition. So for those who are healthy employees, they will continue working. But in between, we will ask them to rest more.

"Those who are exposed to the outdoors, we will give them some opportunity to work indoors. So... maybe half of the time, (they will) work indoors and half of the time, (they will) work outdoors.

“We are also restructuring our working sequences in a construction site. We will make sure that they are not over-exposed to this unhealthy environment with the haze."

Dr Ho said workers will be given masks, if the air quality worsens.

And when the PSI hits the hazardous range, all outdoor work will be stopped.

These guidelines are based on the company's haze contingency plan, which is distributed to all its project directors and managers onsite.

Authorities have stressed it is employers' responsibility to ensure workers are deployed in a safe way. Even though the Manpower Ministry does not have a hard and fast rule on when work should cease, if the air quality worsens, the ministry does have the power to enforce a stop-work order, if it finds that an employer is not doing its part.

Dr Ho, who also heads the Singapore Contractors Association, said the association began sending reminders to its 3,000 members since last month.

He said: "Especially from last year's experience, we make sure that we have enough masks, we have a risk assessment form, and the workers are all better monitored. Those working at a height have to be especially careful - visibility is a keyword.

"(We will) make sure that when the (PSI) is very high... they can come in to rest for a while. This is to ensure that during the haze period, everybody is healthy."

Doctors are also advising the public to prepare early.

Dr Tan Tze Lee, senior partner at The Edinburgh Clinic, said: "If you think you need a mask, you should maybe get some supplies now. If you have young children or elderly folks at home who maybe need to breathe cleaner air in the house, you may want to get an air purifier now before the haze comes.

“If you have chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), please see your doctor to get yourself ready. So be prepared."

Dr Tan is also advising his patients to exercise and keep fit now, while the air quality is good.

He said this would help them build better resistance when the haze returns.SINGAPORE: Construction companies have said they are prepared to deal with the haze, if it returns.

One company told Channel NewsAsia that it has refined its "haze contingency plans" based on last year's experience.

Authorities said on Thursday that the haze may return by late March, when Singapore is expected to enter the inter-monsoon period.

Even when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is under 100, managers at one construction company have been tasked to check workers every morning, whether they feel fit for work.

Dr Ho Nyok Yong, chief operating officer of Samwoh Corporation, said: "When this trickles into 101 to 200, it will be classified as an 'unhealthy' condition. So for those who are healthy employees, they will continue working. But in between, we will ask them to rest more. Those who are exposed to the outdoors, we will give them some opportunity to work indoors. So... maybe half of the time, (they will) work indoors and half of the time, (they will) work outdoors.

“We are also restructuring our working sequences in a construction site. We will make sure that they are not over-exposed to this unhealthy environment with the haze."

Dr Ho said workers will be given masks, if the air quality worsens.

And when the PSI hits the hazardous range, all outdoor work will be stopped.

These guidelines are based on the company's haze contingency plan, which is distributed to all its project directors and managers onsite.

Authorities have stressed it is the employers' responsibility to ensure workers are deployed in a safe way. Even though the Manpower Ministry does not have a hard and fast rule on when work should cease, if the air quality worsens, the ministry does have the power to enforce a stop-work order, if it finds that an employer is not doing its part.

Dr Ho, who also heads the Singapore Contractors Association, said the association began sending reminders to its 3,000 members since last month.

He said: "Especially from last year's experience, we make sure that we have enough masks, we have a risk assessment form, and the workers are all better monitored. Those working at a height have to be especially careful - visibility is a keyword... (We will) make sure that when the (PSI) is very high... they can come in to rest for a while. This is to ensure that during the haze period, everybody is healthy.

Doctors are also advising the public to prepare early.

Dr Tan Tze Lee, senior partner at The Edinburgh Clinic, said: "If you think you need a mask, you should maybe get some supplies now. If you have young children or elderly folks at home who maybe need to breathe cleaner air in the house, you may want to get an air purifier now before the haze comes.

“If you have chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), please see your doctor to get yourself ready. So be prepared."

Dr Tan is also advising his patients to exercise and keep fit now, while the air quality is good.

He said this would help them build better resistance when the haze returns.

- CNA/ms