The rainy season in the Philippines is primarily due to tropical cyclones which bring heavy rains, strong winds, tornadoes, storm surges, and flooding. This weather phenomenon affects human lives and causes severe damage to establishments, harvests, and other means.
Many Filipino workers deal with typhoon situations like being stranded on their way home or to work. Some opt to stay beyond office working hours in their offices to avoid getting soaked.
Employers are responsible for making quick decisions to safeguard their employees during a state of calamity. On-site jobs are heavily impacted by typhoons, making it difficult for employees to decide whether they should go to work or not.
It’s important to recognize that the workforce is just as vital as any business running. This article aims to help employers start implementing strategies ahead, considering safety tips and flexible work arrangements.
What are the hazards during typhoons?
Approximately 20 typhoons occur in the Philippines every year, and it’s always possible that some areas will experience hazards during the occurrence. Being aware of these hazards is crucial for mitigating risks and preventing destruction.
- Flood. This happens when heavy rainfalls affect low areas, and urban areas due to poor drainage systems, or cause streams and rivers to overflow.
- Landslide. Typhoon damage due to landslides usually occurs in mountainous areas, leading to soil erosion that devastates and buries houses, uproots trees, and cuts power cable wires.
- Storm Surges. This is an oceanic condition manifesting an unusual increase in sea level affecting coastal regions.
- Strong Winds. This refers to an increased magnitude of a squall involving unexpected and wider damages.
What are the safety tips to implement?
Typhoon safety tips are essential to prioritize the well-being of employees. While online Filipino jobs are available, remote or office-based employees play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and resilient workplace. So, here are some effective safety measures to start with:
Ensure workplace safety
Ensuring employee safety begins with the work environment. Pre-inspect and repair areas that are prone to leaks, flooding, or falling debris. If you’re a company with on-site jobs and have employed frontline workers, provide food and sleep stations for them.
In cases where you have a skeletal workforce, closely monitor the arrival of each employee to their designated work areas. Prepare emergency bags or kits in case of further damage. And lastly, see to it that you have backup files, especially the hardcopies, to prevent any data losses.
Stay updated on weather conditions
The primary source of weather updates can be gathered from DOST PAGASA. Visit the official website to be informed on real-time weather updates and forecasts for the Philippines. They use weather monitoring tools, hazard maps, and satellite and radar data to provide valuable observations and insights. Consider watching the news reports and listening to radio stations for other relevant details.
Staying informed on weather updates is essential for planning activities. This allows your company to make flexible work arrangements and prepare for what to do during typhoons.
Create a remote work policy
Typhoons are part of every Filipino’s endeavors. While some employees already work from home, others may prefer remote work as an alternative during such times. If the nature of work can be accessed remotely, ensure that the IT Department enhances connectivity as well as data security.
Establishing this policy can determine other benefits that employees can enjoy during remote work. For those responsible for business continuity, it’s important to determine the appropriate number of remote workdays to ensure that the company’s budget is not adversely affected.
To help you get started, you can use common communication channels like Gmail, Microsoft Teams, Messenger, ZOOM, Google Chat, Viber, WhatsApp, and other applications ensuring compatibility and efficiency.
In a 2022 report by the company Qualtics, there are around 74% of Filipinos choose to have flexible work arrangements. This indicates a huge number of Filipinos who are embracing the shift from traditional on-site jobs to online setups. However, during typhoons, it’s crucial to consider employees’ working hours, as some areas still suffer from poor internet connectivity.
Gathering employee feedback would help companies to strategically adjust workload and online meetings, especially as they may encounter power outages and other typhoon-related interruptions.
Arrange employee transportation
For companies who have their shuttles or company vehicles to ferry employees, this is the time to fully maximize their functions. These vehicles can help ensure that employees get to work safely, avoiding the need to rush through crowded MRT stations, deal with transportation bookings, or endlessly look for other public transportation.
Train employees for emergency preparedness
While planning, it’s also a good proposition to involve employees in emergency-related seminars and trainings. In the Philippines, the government mandates that companies comply with Occupational Safety and Health Standards to ensure proper implementation of emergency preparedness guidelines.
One way to apply this training is the development of Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) in the workplace. These plans are crucial for enhancing safety and ensuring swift, effective action during calamities.
Establish disaster and risk management plans
An established disaster and risk management plan helps companies understand further the importance of the country’s vulnerability to natural phenomena like typhoons, volcanic activities, and earthquakes.
Developing such plans improves workplace safety by incorporating the following components:
- Evacuation plans
- Clear communication channels
- Regular training sessions and drills
- Allocation of funds for resources and food supplies
- Other special considerations especially for people with disabilities (PWDs).
Work safe and sound!
The employees are the backbones of the business operations. Their skills and contributions drive your company’s success, so it’s essential to prioritize their safety and well-being.
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