ILOILO City – With heat indices here reaching a dangerous 46 degrees Celsius on April 8, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 has raised the alarm, reiterating the need for employers to implement strict safety and health protocols to protect workers from extreme heat stress.
The intense temperatures, which fall into the “danger” category, have triggered urgent calls to protect vulnerable workers, particularly in sectors exposed to prolonged heat exposure.
DOLE-6 director Atty. Sixto Popoy Rodriguez Jr. stressed that all private sector employers must assess the risks posed by extreme heat to their workforce.
“Employers need to evaluate the exposure risks, especially for workers with existing medical conditions such as hypertension and kidney diseases, and act immediately to mitigate heat stress,” said Rodriguez.
DOLE’s Labor Advisory No. 08, Series of 2023, mandates that companies across the region implement comprehensive measures to address heat-related illnesses.
Among the key provisions, the advisory urges the installation of effective ventilation systems and insulation to reduce heat and humidity in work environments.
Adjustments to work schedules, such as more frequent rest breaks or even relocating workers to cooler areas, are also recommended.
The advisory calls for employers to provide workers with temperature-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment, such as hats and UV-blocking goggles, to minimize sun exposure.
In addition, businesses must ensure that clean, adequate drinking water is available at all times, urging workers to consume at least two to three liters daily.
In an effort to mitigate the ongoing risk, DOLE also encourages flexible work arrangements, including adjusted work hours, to limit exposure to extreme heat and strenuous tasks, without affecting overall work productivity.
Rodriguez assured the public that DOLE-6 is ready to assist employers in implementing these measures.
“We are committed to providing technical guidance and resources to help workplaces create safe environments that protect the health and well-being of workers during these extreme conditions,” he affirmed.
For its part, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 issued an urgent advisory warning the public of the health dangers posed by extreme heat and urging proactive precautions.
Citing a heat index alert from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), DOH-6 regional director Dr. Annabelle P. Yumang warned that prolonged exposure to such high temperatures could trigger serious health emergencies, particularly heat stroke.
“The region is now experiencing a heat index under the ‘extreme caution’ category,” Yumang said. “Engaging in strenuous activities under these conditions may lead to dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke.”
Heat stroke can be fatal, Yumang emphasized, identifying its symptoms as a body temperature of 40°C or higher, hot and flushed skin, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, headache, nausea, unconsciousness, and muscle cramps.
She advised the public to immediately move any individual exhibiting these symptoms to a shaded area, elevate their legs, and initiate emergency cooling measures. These include removing excess clothing, applying cold packs to key areas such as the armpits, neck, and groin, spraying water on the body, and ensuring proper ventilation.
If the person is conscious and able to swallow, they should also be encouraged to sip cool water.
Prompt medical attention is critical, she added, and the patient should be brought to the nearest health facility.
To reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses, DOH-6 recommends:
* Avoiding outdoor exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest.
* Scheduling activities in the early morning or late afternoon.
* Staying well-hydrated.
* Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
* Using umbrellas, hats, and other forms of sun protection.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the heat index categories and their corresponding safety recommendations are as follows:
* Extreme Danger (≥52°C) – Cancel outdoor and physically strenuous activities such as field trips and sports events.
* Danger (43–51°C) – Limit exposure for vulnerable individuals including the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.
* Extreme Caution (36–42°C) – Reschedule activities to cooler parts of the day and increase water and rest breaks.
* Caution (27–35°C) – Activities may proceed, but heat illness signs should be closely monitored./PN
