"Chevron plans to relocate those who are at high risk, such as newborn babies, pregnant mothers, children and people with a history of lung and heart diseases, based on recommendations from Chevrons medical team," Chevrons communication manager Tiva Permata told Antara in an email here on Thursday.
She said they may also choose to stay with their relatives who live in safer areas.
She added that the workers who are not in the list of those recommended to move may also ask for leave with an approval from their supervisors, based on the regulation so far.
Smoke pollution from forest and land fires in the Sumatran province had affected air quality and caused it to deteriorate to an unhealthy level in different locations, such as Dumai, Bangko, Duri and Rumbai.
In the past few days, the air quality had worsened and threatened the health of vulnerable groups of people, including babies, children, pregnant mothers and those with a history of lung or heart diseases.
Tiva pointed out that for Chevron safety of the workers and their family members were the companys basic principle and it would always be a priority.
She said, in the current situation, Chevron had made an effort to mitigate the danger by sending firefighters to help put out the fires in various locations in cooperation with the local government.
The company had also informed the public about the air quality and distributed masks to those in need.
Currently, Chevron is procuring more masks to distribute to the people in need.
Internally, she said, it had taken various measures to ensure the safety and health of its workers and their families.
"Chevron had distributed respirators to its employees and their families, asked them to limit their outdoor activities, closed any holes in their homes to prevent smoke from entering and prepared locations for their relocation in Rumbai," she added.
Chevron had worked to reduce the impact of the pollution, while the company continued meeting its commitment to its annual work and budget programs, she noted. ***3***
Reporting by Fazar Muhardi
(T.KR-FZR/H-YH/INE)
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
