KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee Berhad (HSL) has introduced workplace measures and adjusted building ventilation as hot and hazy conditions persist.
HSL Safety Manager, Charles Lee, said the response involves the company’s Safety, Health & Environment Department, Human Resources, building management, retail operations and the staff canteen.
“During periods like this, our safety personnel must communicate closely with Human Resources.
“We must also pay careful attention to the Ministry of Health recommendations and comply with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health’s Guidelines for the Protection of Employees Against the Effects of Haze at Workplaces.
“Employees with respiratory issues or other health concerns are encouraged to minimise outdoor exposure wherever possible and, where practical, work indoors or adjust their activities accordingly,” he said.
He said supervisors were expected to monitor conditions closely and take appropriate measures to protect employees as the situation changed.
He added that conditions were expected to remain challenging as El Niño continues this year.
At HSL Tower in Samarahan, the response taken includes adjustments to the centralised air-conditioning and ventilation system to manage indoor conditions.
Outside-air intake for the tower and adjoining La Promenade Mall is currently reduced to between 10 and 20 per cent, depending on conditions.
The Green Building Index-certified complex has air-quality sensors throughout its 10-storey office tower and mall.
Senior Building Operations Officer, Clinton Jawa Richardly, said the amount of outside air entering the building is continuously adjusted, with all incoming air passing through the filtration system.
“We are continuously adjusting the outside-air intake. We can control how much air is drawn into the building, and all incoming air passes through the building’s filtration system,” he added.
“Through the Building Management System, our technicians can monitor CO2 levels, humidity and temperature in real time. We can then adjust the air intake, return-air supply and chilled-water temperature according to conditions.”
He said the building management team aims to keep CO2 levels at about 600 parts per million.
“Our aim is to maintain good ventilation while limiting unnecessary intake of hazy outdoor air. DOSH considers 1,000ppm the ceiling for indoor CO2, with readings above that indicating inadequate ventilation,” he explained.
“If CO2 levels begin to rise, we can increase the outside-air intake. It is a balancing act between maintaining adequate ventilation and reducing the amount of polluted outdoor air entering the building.”
The response has also extended to retail and food operations at La Promenade Mall.
La Promenade Mall Admin and Leasing Officer, Sutiana Jesut, said food and beverage tenants were preparing for more lunchtime customers as people may choose to remain indoors during hotter and hazier periods.
“We have noticed that our food and beverage tenants are preparing for more lunchtime customers. All our eateries are indoors and air-conditioned, so we expect more people may choose to stay inside during the hotter and hazier periods,” she said.
Moreover, HSL’s Human Resources has also encouraged employees to eat within the building rather than head outdoors during the haze.
Meanwhile, Corporate Communications Manager, Jennifer Tang, said the staff canteen, which provides subsidised food to HSL employees and mall tenants, was also part of the response.
“All HSL employees and mall tenants enjoy subsidised food at the staff canteen. Since we are encouraging people to minimise unnecessary outdoor exposure, we will also prepare more food there,” she added.
“These are simple measures, but they can make a practical difference. The aim is to look at every part of the company and ask what we can reasonably do to help with the situation.”
Lee furthermore said that HSL is also preparing for possible disruption if worsening conditions result in school closures or other official measures.
“We have to remain flexible and respond to conditions on the ground. If the situation changes, our measures will change with it,” he reiterated.
