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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Ang init'! MMDA reinstates 30-minute 'heat-stroke break' for traffic enforcers, street sweepers

'Ang init'! MMDA reinstates 30-minute 'heat-stroke break' for traffic enforcers, street sweepers

Published Mar 7, 2024 08:23 am

bp monitoring.jpg

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic personnel undergo blood pressure monitoring as part of the anti-heatstroke program of the agency, at the MMDA Metro Base along EDSA-Timog in Quezon City on March 7, 2024. The agency also put up a  water station that will be used by traffic enforcers during breaks. (Mark Balmores)

 

Amid the scorching heat of the sun in the past days, traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be given a 30-minute break to protect its personnel from heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.

The 30-minute heat stroke break policy has been a policy in the past and MMDA chairman Don Artes said they opted to reinstate especially for their traffic enforcers and street sweepers as weather experts warned of intense heat until May this year due to the El Niño phenomenon.

“We must understand the plight of these traffic enforcers and street sweepers who work under the scorching heat of the sun every day to fulfill their duties and responsibilities,” said Artes.

He said the policy will take effect from March 15 until May 31 and will be implemented daily through a rotation schedule.

This developed as traffic enforcers and other personnel of the MMDA underwent blood pressure monitoring and were provided with cold water to avoid dehydration on Thursday, March 7.

Artes explained the "heat stroke break" shall be done alternately by those who are assigned in a particular area to maintain visibility of traffic enforcers and street sweepers and to ensure field operations are not hampered.

Under the "heat stroke break policy", on-duty traffic enforcers and street sweepers are allowed to leave their posts in shifts so that they can rehydrate, seek shelter from the sun, and take a 30-minute break to avoid heat stroke.

For traffic enforcers who work from 5 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. shift, the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; for those working from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift, the break time shall be observed from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; for those working from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon; and for 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift, the break time shall be observed from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, for street sweepers who work from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift, the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon; for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift, they shall observe 12 noon to 1 p.m. regular break time; and for those working from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift, the break time shall be observed from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.. or 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Field personnel could also take an additional 15-minute break time in case the heat index, or the “human discomfort index” in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above.

Related Tags

El Niño phenomenon MMDA heat stroke
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