Taipei City Government

On August 2, Labor Commissioner Lai Hsiang-lin led staffs from the Department of Labor (DOL) on an inspection visit to the MRT construction site on Nanhai Road. The visitors checked outdoor working conditions of workers and heat preventive measures adopted by the site operator.
 
The delegation found that the temperature of the worksite reached 39 to 40-degree Celsius, and the site operator has set up rest areas and water supply facilities in compliance with local regulations.
 
As of July 31, DOL has conducted 1461 rounds of inspection and issued 23 improvement orders.
 
The summer heat has set a new record in Taipei, with thermometers reaching a record-breaking 38.5-degree Celsius on July 6. The Central Weather Bureau continues to issue excessive heat warnings, and the blazing sun is expected to push temperatures past 37-degree Celsius in the month of August.
 
Some of the outdoor occupations which are at risk of extreme temperature include workers dealing with constructions, installation of billboards and signs, window-washing, street maintenance, gardening, and cable line repair. Hazards include high temperature-related illness (such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and febrile seizure) and triggered accidents resulting from feinting, inability to concentrate, or other negative effects from the blazing heat.
 
Commissioner Lai reminded businesses and companies to comply with section 6 of article 324 under the Rules for the Occupational Safety and Health Facilities, adopting preventative measures in response to weather conditions. These may include lowering workplace temperature, providing shaded place for resting, offering appropriate drinks or salt water, adjusting work hours, increasing work site patrol frequency, implementing health management schedules, or other measures. Violators who cause employees to suffer heat-related illness may face fines up to NT$300,000.