Construction firms in Singapore are implementing measures to protect workers from hazardous haze conditions that have persisted since early September, while also preparing to file claims for delays caused by the poor air quality.

Since the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) first registered in the “unhealthy” range of 101 to 200, several projects have experienced slower progress, according to construction lawyer Kelvin Aw. Builders have responded by reducing outdoor work hours, limiting crane operations during low visibility, increasing rest breaks, and reallocating some workers to indoor tasks to maintain project schedules.

Kajima Overseas Asia (Singapore), a major contractor, has introduced a series of health and safety initiatives, including worker awareness briefings, additional water coolers, misting fans, and more sheltered rest areas. The company has also intensified monitoring to identify workers showing early symptoms of haze-related illnesses and conducted site audits to ensure subcontractor compliance with mitigation measures. Despite these efforts, Kajima acknowledged delayed progress on two public-sector projects.

Similarly, Hit-Tek Construction has curtailed outdoor activities when the 24-hour PSI falls between 101 and 200, with supervisors regularly checking on workers’ hydration and health three times daily during haze episodes.

Singapore has faced nearly six weeks of haze this year, with PSI levels peaking into the “very unhealthy” category of 201 to 300 on several October days. In response, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) issued guidelines in 2023 allowing public-sector construction firms to apply for extensions of time due to haze-related disruptions. Contractors must provide notice to start the claims process, a step some companies have recently taken.

Under the BCA framework, builders may seek a half-day extension when the PSI exceeds 200 for three to five hours, or a full day if the PSI stays above 200 for at least five hours, provided they demonstrate that haze mitigation efforts have impacted productivity. However, applications for such extensions have met with limited success in previous years, largely due to insufficient proof of delays.

Kajima has not yet applied for any time extensions, explaining that one contract requires an official national directive halting all work, while another mandates hazardous air quality with a PSI over 300 and a cessation of all outdoor activities before claims can be filed. Kajima’s general manager (contracts), Haja Kamaludeen, called for standardized, clear contract conditions to govern haze-related extensions and urged the BCA’s guidelines to be applied universally.

The Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) has expressed interest in collaborating with government agencies to establish more precise criteria for assessing weather-related delays, including haze and extreme heat, amid shifting climate patterns. SCAL president Lee Kay Chai emphasized the importance of clarifying the recognition of additional costs and productivity impacts, noting that time extensions do not automatically entitle firms to recover associated overheads.

Advocates argue that clearer, consistent assessment methods would aid contractors and officials in fairly evaluating delay claims, reducing disputes and administrative burdens.

Lawyer Kelvin Aw highlighted the absence of guidance on compensation for extra haze-related safety expenses and suggested the development of a formula-based approach to address both time and costs. He also noted that current BCA guidelines apply solely to public-sector projects, leaving private-sector contracts without similar provisions. Extending such guidance to private projects could provide greater certainty and help industry parties price risks more accurately.

The BCA stated it continues to monitor haze impacts on construction and is aware of industry feedback on the claims process. The authority affirmed its commitment to ongoing engagement with stakeholders including SCAL to ensure that guidelines remain appropriate and responsive to site conditions.