The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced that starting April 1, 2022 traffic enforcers and street sweepers will be granted an additional 30-minute “heatstroke break” to protect them from the illness this coming summer season.
Photo: MMDA Facebook Page
MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes signed a memorandum circular re-implementing the “heatstroke break” policy to protect field personnel from heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and heat cramps due to severe heatwaves. Under the policy enforcers and street sweepers can seek shelter and leave their posts in shifts to be able to take the 30-minute break.
An MMDA Facebook posts further highlight at specific times the 30-minute heat stroke break.
“For traffic enforcers who work from 5 am to 1 pm shift, the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 10 am to 10:30 am or 10:30 am to 11 am; for those working from 1 pm to 9 pm shift, the break time shall be observed from 2:30 pm to 3 pm or 3 pm to 3:30 pm; for those working from 6 am to 2 pm, the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 11 am to 11:30 am or 11:30 am to 12 noon; and for 2 pm to 10 pm shift, the break time shall be observed from 3 pm to 3:30 pm or 3:30 pm to 4 pm.
For street sweepers who work from 6 am to 2 pm shift, the prescribed “heat stroke break” is from 11 am to 11:30 am or 11:30 am to 12 noon; for 7 am to 4 pm shift, they shall observe 12 noon to 1 pm regular break time; and for those working from 11 am to 7 pm shift, the break time shall be observed from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm or 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm,” According to the post.
“The heatstroke 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,” said Artes.
An additional 15-minute “Heatstroke Break” can be availed by field personnel if the heat index or the “human discomfort index” in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above.
The heatstroke break will be in effect until May 31, 2022.
