SINGAPORE, May 12 — A construction site in Pasir Ris is using artificial intelligence to protect around 400 workers from heat stress, combining predictive alerts with cooling vests and makeshift showers in a trial that goes well beyond current workplace safety rules.

According to The Straits Times, the system, launched two months ago at Hwa Seng Builder’s Loyang Viaduct project, relies on an AI engine that processes weather forecasts along with live heat-stress readings from an automated sensor.

It calculates the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)—the standard measure that accounts for humidity, wind, and sun exposure—and sends early warnings via WhatsApp to site supervisors. If the model predicts a WBGT of 33 degrees Celsius at 2pm, for instance, managers can remind crews to start hydrating hours in advance and schedule 15-minute rest breaks after every hour of work. The system also suggests cooling actions aligned with Ministry of Manpower (MOM) guidelines.

“The AI doesn’t just give us a heads-up—it also makes heat monitoring much smoother,” said Mr Lim Eng Boon, project director at Hwa Seng Builder. “Workers no longer need to take manual WBGT readings every hour as MOM requires.”

The Pasir Ris site has introduced extra protective steps not mandated by regulations, including cooling vests and temporary outdoor showers. The firm is even developing solar-powered cooling vests, which Mr Lim said have already helped lift productivity.

Singapore has been grappling with record heat. The city saw its hottest June and November ever in 2025, and high-heat-stress days jumped from 21 to 29 compared with the previous year. A local study found that for every 1 degree C rise in average daily temperature, the risk of heat stroke among outdoor workers more than doubles.

Visiting the site on May 11, Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash called the builder’s approach “progressive and proactive.” He added: “Even when we don’t see many heat stress cases on worksites, it’s still crucial to keep workers protected. We need to stay ahead of the curve.”

Mandatory heat-safety rules for outdoor worksites have been in place since 2023, requiring rest breaks once WBGT hits 32 degrees Celsius  or higher. Still, authorities took action against 213 employers between 2024 and 2025 for failing to comply with heat-stress regulations.