Haze in Singapore: What workers should do when the PSI reaches unhealthy levels

The first sign at work may be a faint burning smell.

As the day goes on, the skyline may begin to fade, and your eyes or throat may start to feel irritated.

For workers whose jobs keep them outdoors or on the move, the haze is more than an inconvenience.

For delivery riders, taxi and private-hire vehicle drivers, cleaners, security officers, port workers, construction workers among others more, being indoors may not always be possible.

On 4 September 2026, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the unhealthy range of above 100 in central Singapore.

It was the first time since 8 October 2023 the PSI had reached that level due to haze.

Singapore’s Haze Task Force subsequently activated action plans and advisories to protect public health. This includes having the National Environment Agency (NEA) issue the daily haze advisories.

The taskforce’s response came after dry regional conditions led to more hotspots and smoke plumes over parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan.

While employers remain responsible for assessing risks and implementing safeguards, workers can also take practical steps to reduce their exposure and raise concerns early.

Here are seven things you can do when haze affects your work.

1. Check the air quality before and during your shift

Do not rely solely on the smell of smoke or the greyness of the skyline.

Before starting work, check both the 24-hour PSI forecast and the one-hour PM2.5 reading.

A simple way to remember the difference is: Use the 24-hour PSI forecast to plan your workday. Use the one-hour PM2.5 reading to decide what precautions you need now.

The 24-hour PSI forecast can help you prepare for a shift involving several hours of outdoor work.

The one-hour PM2.5 reading reflects the current level of fine particles and is more useful when deciding whether to begin, continue or adjust an immediate outdoor activity.

The information is available through the myENV app, the National Environment Agency website and the NEA haze microsite.

Air quality can change during the day. If you work outdoors or travel between locations, check the reading again during your shift rather than relying solely on the morning forecast.

2. Find out what your workplace haze plan covers

Do not wait until the air quality worsens to find out what will happen at work.

Ask your supervisor, the human resources department, or a union representative about the workplace haze response plan.

Find out which outdoor tasks can be reduced, deferred or moved indoors, how duty rotations and rest breaks will be arranged, where protective equipment can be collected and whom you should inform if you feel unwell.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) advises employers to assess haze-related risks and look for ways to reduce, defer or avoid prolonged and strenuous outdoor work.

Other possible measures include redeploying workers, rotating duties, providing sufficient indoor rest breaks and monitoring workers for symptoms.

Where the nature of the job allows, workers can also ask whether telecommuting, staggered hours, flexible leave or other alternative work arrangements are available.

Knowing the plan beforehand makes it easier to act quickly when conditions change. 

3. Reduce continuous outdoor exposure

Some outdoor duties cannot be stopped entirely, but the amount of uninterrupted exposure can still be reduced.

Make full use of indoor rest breaks and job-rotation arrangements provided by your employer.

Ask whether non-essential outdoor work can be deferred or whether part of the task can be completed indoors.

Do not push through worsening symptoms to complete a task.

MOM recommends measures including adjusted work assignments, job rotation, sufficient indoor breaks, adequate hydration, the use of mechanical aids and the deferment of non-essential work.

For platform workers, the road may be the workplace. Delivery riders and drivers can identify suitable sheltered rest points before starting work and make use of hydration or rest facilities provided by operators where available.

NTUC and its Platform Work Associations have been working with operators to improve access to hydration and suitable cool or shaded rest points for workers who spend much of their workday on the move.

4. Drink water, keep medication accessible and report symptoms

Haze particles may irritate the eyes, nose and throat. They may also aggravate existing heart or lung conditions.

Keep drinking water readily available throughout your shift. Drinking water may ease symptoms such as a dry or itchy throat, although it does not replace measures to reduce exposure.

Workers with asthma or other chronic heart or lung conditions should continue taking prescribed medication as directed.

Keep essential medication, such as an inhaler, somewhere that is easy to reach while working.

Do not try to push through worsening symptoms. Inform your supervisor and move indoors, where possible, if you experience breathing difficulties or persistent discomfort. Vulnerable workers who feel unwell should seek medical attention promptly.

5. Use the correct respiratory protection

Not every mask provides the same level of protection against haze particles.

A normal surgical mask is not effective at filtering the fine PM2.5 particles associated with haze, although it may offer some relief from larger irritant particles.

An N95 mask can filter fine particles, but it works properly only when it forms a good seal around the face.

Where outdoor work cannot be avoided, and respiratory protection is required, employers should provide suitable masks or respirators. Affected workers should also be fit-tested and trained to use the equipment properly.

Do not assume that putting on any available mask is enough. The protection must be suitable for the work and worn correctly.

Masks may increase the effort required to breathe, especially during strenuous work. MOM advises employers to provide regular breaks, slow the pace of work where necessary, and encourage hydration among employees who are wearing masks. Workers who experience breathing difficulties while wearing one should be redeployed indoors where possible.

6. Speak up early if you are more vulnerable to haze

If you have a medical condition that may place you at greater risk, consider informing your supervisor, human resources department or union representative so that suitable work arrangements can be discussed.

These could include temporary redeployment, reduced outdoor exposure, additional rest breaks or an alternative work arrangement, depending on the job and workplace risk assessment.

Look out for colleagues too. If someone appears breathless, unwell, or unusually affected, encourage them to stop, rest, and inform the supervisor rather than continue in silence.

Individual reactions to haze can vary. A worker may experience discomfort even when others carrying out the same duties feel fine.

7. Speak up if workplace safeguards are inadequate

Workers should not have to choose between protecting their health and completing a task.

Raise the issue first with your supervisor, the human resources department, or a union representative. If no action is taken and significant safety concerns remain, workers can approach MOM for advice or submit feedback on the outdoor work conditions.

Employers have a duty under the Workplace Safety and Health Act to protect employees and adequately mitigate haze-related risks. Failure to do so may result in enforcement measures, including stop-work orders and composition fines.

Building on its support for workers during previous haze episodes, NTUC and its affiliated unions stand ready to work with employers and tripartite partners to strengthen workplace safeguards, address workers’ concerns and protect both their health and livelihoods.

Workers who require advice or assistance should approach their union representatives early, especially if adequate rest, suitable protective equipment or appropriate work arrangements are not being provided.