Zika outbreak: Checks at construction sites stepped up

SINGAPORE — The authorities are stepping up checks at construction sites to ensure that they comply with a new advisory on workplace practices to limit the spread of the Zika virus, said Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck during his visit to a temporary dormitory site in Sims Drive on Tuesday (Aug 30).

The temporary sleeping quarters for about 490 construction workers are located at the Sims Urban Oasis construction site, where 36 Zika infection cases were confirmed.

Mr Teo, who did not give further details about the checks, said: “Prevention measures for Zika are not much different from (those for) dengue, so all these measures (are) supposed to have been in place. We’re just stepping up control, stepping up our inspection to make sure everybody does them.”

Referring to the advisory that was sent out to all employers on Monday, Mr Teo said: “We need all operators to reinforce their preventive measures right now just to assure the community, the workers themselves ...  Although the symptoms might be mild, we can’t take anything for granted.”

According to Woh Hup, the main construction company at the Sims Drive site, new practices which have been implemented since Saturday include providing workers with mosquito patches and requiring them to cover their arms with long sleeves.

About 500 mosquito Gravitraps — instead of 50 previously — have been placed around the construction site.

The Gravitraps — cylinders containing hay-infused water — attract pregnant mosquitoes and localise their potential breeding spots, said a Woh Hup spokesman on Tuesday. 

While the traps were previously laid out only at the dormitories, they are now placed at the parameters of the construction site to locate the breeding spots. 

Workers are also reminded to spray themselves with mosquito repellant every hour. Chewable Vitamin C tablets will be handed out to boost their immunity, the Woh Hup spokesman said. 

Other preventive measures that were already in place before the Zika outbreak was announced over the weekend include mosquito netting on dorm windows and ultraviolet light bug zappers.

Several construction companies told TODAY that they have already implemented many practices to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in their fight against dengue.

At Chew Hock Seng Construction, the company has a daily routine where workers clear out stagnant water as part of their morning housekeeping. 

Director Alan Chew said its workers are also checked for red eyes and rash, and are required to wear the company’s long-sleeve uniform. 

Mr Edwin Loo, a senior project manager at Conint, said the construction firm has weekly mosquito prevention treatments at its worksites, including on-site fogging by third-part pest control operators.

Another company, Jian Huang Construction, is also stepping up its preventive measures, such as educating its workers about the Zika virus, and keeping them informed about the situation via updates on notice boards.