Strengthening Workplace Preparedness for Heat Stress

23 Mar 2026 Announcements

The WSH Council urges companies to strengthen workplace preparedness for heat stress as Singapore enters the hot season.

Afternoon heat typically builds up across the island¹ during the inter-monsoon period from late March to May. While Singapore’s climate is warm year-round, this period calls for heightened vigilance, particularly for outdoor and physically demanding work.

In 2025, 29 high heat stress days were recorded across Singapore based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitoring, up from 21 days in 2024². Elevated heat exposure increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, affects workers’ concentration, and may compromise safety performance.

Employers and supervisors should integrate heat stress management into their overall WSH management framework and ensure that heat stress measures are in place to protect workers. The measures include:

• Conduct heat risk assessments and monitor WBGT levels to guide appropriate heat stress measures. 
  
  
• Implement heat acclimatisation programme for new workers and those returning from leave of more than a week, and closely monitor workers who are vulnerable to heat.
  
  
• Provide workers with adequate rest breaks under shade. The shade provided should be well-ventilated and properly insulated or cooled for effective heat respite.
  
  
• Ensure adequate hydration and provide ready access to cool drinking water near work areas.
  
  
• Reschedule heavy outdoor work to cooler parts of the day where feasible.
  
  
• Ensure supervisors and workers are trained to recognise early signs and symptoms of heat illness, and encourage workers to promptly report any discomfort or signs of feeling unwell to their supervisor.
  
  
• Establish emergency response plan and maintain standby supplies of cold water, ice packs, water spray and cooler boxes for quick response.  

Employers are reminded to report diagnosed cases of heat illnesses to the Ministry of Manpower via WSH Incident Reporting.

For more information, refer to:

• MOM’s Guidance on Heat Stress Measures for Outdoor Work
• FAQs on Heat Stress Measures for Outdoor Work
• WSH Incident Reporting Requirements
• WSH Insights on Managing Heat Stress
• WSH Guidelines on Managing Heat Stress in the Workplace
• WSH Guidelines on Preparing for Adverse Weather
• Heat Stress Management Compliance Checklist

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References

1. Meteorological Service Singapore, Climate of Singapore.
2. Meteorological Service Singapore, Singapore Climate 2025: The Year in Numbers.