Employers ordered to provide workers ‘standing breaks’

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered a “standing break” for workers who are required to sit for long hours at their worksites.

In a new department order signed Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed employers to adopt safety and health measures for workers who have to spend long hours sitting.

“All employers and establishments are directed to institute appropriate control measures to address the risks to safety and health of workers who have to spend long hours sitting at work,” Bello said.

The new policy, Bello said, is meant to eliminate health risks and ensure safe and healthful working conditions in worksites nationwide.

Bello said employers should provide their workers with regular five-minute break every two hours from sitting time.

Workers, Bello said, should be encouraged to avoid sedentary work by walking or standing.

He said employers must also ensure that the workstation is designed appropriately for the type of work and provide systems that facilitate easy mobility.

“If possible, workstations should be redesigned to enable greater variability in movement or posture,” Bello said

The labor chief also encouraged companies to organize health promotion activities, conduct medical surveillance among workers and undertake health awareness programs.

“The employers in consultation with workers may adopt other measures to address the occupational safety and health problems of workers who have to spend long hours sitting,” Bello said.

According to Bello, the new department order would guide employers to address the health concerns related to sedentary work or sitting while working for long periods.