Hong Kong to review warning system after record heat triggers lowest alert
Hong Kong labour authorities have pledged to review the city’s heat stress warning system, a day after the weather forecaster issued the lowest-level alert for outdoor workers despite record-breaking temperatures, prompting questions about the index’s effectiveness. The pledge on Monday followed calls from experts for the government to adopt an international measurement that gives greater weight…
Hong Kong’s labour authorities have vowed to reassess the city’s heat stress warning system following record-breaking temperatures that triggered the lowest alert for outdoor workers, despite the scorching weather. Critics argue the existing index does not adequately account for direct sunlight, which can significantly increase heat stress for outdoor workers.
Experts recommend adopting an international measurement, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which provides a more accurate assessment of heat risk by considering the direct impact of sunshine. The current Heat Stress at Work Warning system, implemented in May 2023, considers air temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and hospital admission figures, with three alert levels – amber, red, and black.
The authorities acknowledge the system’s limitations and will maintain communication with relevant departments while reviewing the mechanism. However, the minimum alert remains in place despite temperatures reaching 36.9 degrees Celsius (98.4 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, the highest since the Observatory began recording in 1884. Observers suggest increasing monitoring stations across all districts and incorporating personalized monitoring devices to more accurately assess and mitigate heat-related risks for outdoor workers.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
