INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH AND

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR THE PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF HAZE IIUM, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (OSHBE)

Introduction The main pollutant of concern to health during a smoke haze is the fine particulate matter or PM 10 (particulate of size 10 micron and below). The health effect depends on the severity of the smoke haze as described by the API (Air Pollutant Index) value. At API > 100, the air quality is deemed unhealthy. Under the Occupational Safety & Health Act, 1994 (OSHA), employers have a duty to protect their employees’ safety and health at work. IIUM, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (OSHBE)

Preparation Following announcement of an increased risk of haze by relevant government agency, employers should initiate the following preparations to protect the safety and health of employees against the effects of haze: a) b) c) d) e) Identify susceptible employees; To identify employees with medical symptoms related to haze; Identify types of outdoor work; Ensure sufficient stock of disposable N 95 respirators; Improve efficiency of air cleaning devices for workplace and equipment; and f) Implement haze communication system between employer and employees. IIUM, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (OSHBE)

Guideline on Activity during Haze API Status General Health Effects Measures to be taken 0 - 50 51 - 100 Good No ill effects Moderate Few or has no ill effects 101 - 200 Unhealthy Mild aggravation of symptoms among • Susceptible employees susceptible persons i. e. those with must use suitable respirators if working heart and lung disease, with irritation outdoor symptoms in the healthy population • Advice drink water regularly • Advice to use public transport Very Significant aggravation of symptoms • All employees carrying outdoor Unhealty and decreased tolerance in persons work should use suitable respirators with heart or respiratory illness; • Susceptible employees widespread symptoms in healthy should work indoor, preferably doing population work which is not physically strenuous. • Advice drink water regularly • Advice to use public transport 201 - 300 There are no restrictions activity • All employees carrying outdoor work to undergo respirator fit testing • All employees know when to stop outdoor work IIUM, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (OSHBE)

Guideline on Activity during Haze API 301 - 400 >400 Status General Health Effects Measures to be taken Hazardous Early onset of certain diseases in addition to significant aggravation of symptoms and decreased exercise tolerance in healthy persons • All employees carrying outdoor work should wear suitable respirators • Susceptible employees should remain indoors and avoid strenuous work • Advice drink water regularly • Advice to use public transport Very May be life threatening to ill and Hazardous elderly persons. Healthy people experience adverse symptoms that affect normal activity. • All employees should remain indoors and avoid Strenuous work. • All employees carrying out emergency and essential services must wear suitable Respirators • Advice drink water regularly • Advice to use public transport IIUM, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (OSHBE)

Measures to be taken during Haze in IIUM Campuses API Measures to be taken by Staff and Students Reading >100 • Outdoor work which involves strenuous physical activity should be minimised. >150 • Outdoor work which involves strenuous physical activity should be avoided. • All sport and recreational facilities to be closed. >250 • All students and class activities to be postponed • All offices are closed except for Office of Security Management (OSe. M), Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) and Occupational Safety, Health and Built Environment Department (OSHBE) (The announcement of postponement of classes and closure of offices will be made based on the API reading at 9 p. m. issued by the Office of the Rector) *The API is based on the website of the Department of Environment (DOE) as recorded at the nearest station to the respective campus. API – Air Pollutant Index IIUM, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (OSHBE)