DoLE issues guidelines protecting delivery riders from heat stress

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has issued mandatory guidelines requiring delivery and logistics platforms to implement protective measures safeguarding couriers and riders from heat stress.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino signed Labor Advisory No. 22, Series of 2026, outlining statutory duties for employers in the gig economy to protect field personnel from extreme weather conditions.

“Violations of the guidelines shall be subject to appropriate measures, administrative sanctions, and penalties under applicable laws,” the advisory warned.

Under the directive, covered companies must conduct Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control evaluations across delivery routes.

Employers are required to calibrate safety protocols based on daily heat-index levels, actual working environments, travel duration, and the availability of hydration and cooling facilities.

Logistics firms must regularly update riders on current heat-index levels, provide free drinking water, establish shaded rest areas, and schedule mandatory hydration and cooling breaks.

Companies must also supply appropriate personal protective equipment and maintain first-aid assistance.

The guidelines empower companies to reduce, reschedule, or suspend delivery operations when severe heat poses imminent risks to workers, depending on the severity of the heat index.