MMDA gives field personnel 30-minute 'heat stroke break'

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reimposed the 30-minute “heat stroke break” policy for its field personnel, particularly traffic enforcers and street sweepers, to protect them from heat-related illness amid the release of the danger-level heat index forecast for Metro Manila.

MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes, in a signed memorandum circular, said the heat stroke break shall be done alternately by those who are assigned in a particular area to maintain the visibility of traffic enforcers and street sweepers and to ensure field operations are not hampered.

The policy, implemented daily through a rotation schedule, took effect on March 3 and will last until May 31.

“We acknowledge the challenges being faced by our traffic enforcers and street sweepers who diligently work in the heat to fulfill their duties and responsibilities; their well-being is crucial and this initiative seeks to mitigate health-related illnesses among them, especially with the sudden rise in the heat index in Metro Manila,” said Artes.

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

For traffic enforcers working in four different shifts, there is a prescribed “30-minute heat stroke break” depending on their shift:

5 am to 1 pm shift:

• 10 am to 10:30 am or 10:30 am to 11 am

1 pm to 9 pm shift:

• 2:30 pm to 3 pm or 3 pm to 3:30 pm

6 am to 2 pm shift:

• 11 am to 11:30 am or 11:30 am to 12 noon

2 pm to 10 pm shift:

• 3 pm to 3:30 pm or 3:30 pm to 4 pm.

Meanwhile, for street sweepers working three shifts, there is likewise a heat stroke break based on their shifts:

6 am to 2 pm shift:

• 11 am to 11:30 am or 11:30 am to 12 noon

7 am to 4 pm shift:

• 12 noon to 1 pm (regular break time)

11 am to 7 pm shift:

• 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm or 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm

In order to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and/or heat cramps, field personnel could also take an additional 15-minute break time in case the heat index in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above.