MMDA traffic aides, street sweepers get 'heat-stroke breaks' till May 31

From now until May 31, traffic aides and street sweepers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will get two 30-minute "heat-stroke breaks" a day to cope with the hot weather. MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the breaks will be from 1:30 to 2 p.m., and 2:30 to 3 p.m., which are considered the hottest times of the day. "This is the least we can do to prevent heat illnesses from inflicting our employees who work in the streets,” he said. “We cannot risk the health and lives of our personnel. Their safety is our paramount concern." "Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes," he pointed out. A separate report by radio dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo said the MMDA aims to prevent a repeat of last year's tragedy where one of its traffic constable died from heat stroke while on duty. Under the MMDA's heat-stroke break scheme, a skeletal force of one to two personnel — on rotation basis — will remain at their posts at any time. On the other hand, field personnel who have records of past illnesses or who are sickly will be transferred to the night shift. The MMDA will give special allowances and free bottled water to those in the afternoon shift. "We should try to understand the plight of these traffic constables and street sweepers who brave the heat everyday to fulfill their duties," Tolentino said. Follow example Tolentino said he hopes local government units in Metro Manila will similarly give their traffic enforcers heat-stroke breaks. He noted such breaks are also given in the United Arab Emirates, which required firms to give laborers in open areas a midday break from 12:30 to 3 p.m. during summer. Even the US Army and Marine Corps enforce mandatory drinking schedules for their troops on location. Tolentino cited a study from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the US government, showing workers exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. — KBK, GMA News