Monitoring of Heat-stress Threshold in Residential and Commercial Areas and Adequacy of Protection Measures for Mobile Outdoor Workers
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Government tracks heat-stress threshold exceedances and if existing measures sufficiently protect vulnerable residents and mobile outdoor workers. In response to Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that Meteorological Service Singapore monitors heat stress across an expanded network of around 30 Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature stations, recording 29 high heat-stress days in 2025. She identified higher-risk groups as the elderly, children, pregnant women, the unwell, and individuals performing prolonged outdoor work. For outdoor workers like cleaners and security officers, the Ministry of Manpower's framework mandates tiered measures for acclimatisation, hydration, rest, and shade based on heat levels. Additionally, practical measures to mitigate heat stress for delivery platform workers are established under the Code of Practice for Platform Services.
Transcript
28 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Government tracks the number of days on which heat-stress conditions exceed established risk thresholds in residential and commercial areas; (b) which groups of residents and workers are assessed to be most exposed; and (c) whether current heat-stress measures adequately cover delivery riders, cleaners, security officers and other workers who move between multiple outdoor locations.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) provides heat stress information on the myENV app, which members of the public can use to plan their outdoor activities. Consolidated heat stress information, including the number of days of high heat stress, is published in the Annual Climate Assessment Report. In 2025, high heat stress was observed on 29 days from MSS's network of 15 Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) stations. The network has since expanded to around 30 stations today, installed at a range of locations, including sports stadiums, parks, residential areas and industrial areas, to provide more information on heat stress at different parts of Singapore.
The elderly, children and infants, people who are ill, have recently recovered or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, workers involved in prolonged outdoor work activities, and people who recently travelled from cooler climates face higher risk of heat stress.
To complement the general heat stress advisory for the public, the Ministry of Manpower's heat stress framework provides additional guidance for outdoor work and sets out measures tiered by WBGT levels, including mandatory requirements for acclimatisation, drink, rest and shade. It applies to workers who perform prolonged outdoor work, including cleaners and security officers. The Code of Practice for Platform Services also sets out practical measures to reduce heat stress risks for delivery platform workers.