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Hong Kong's heat-stress warning system for outdoor workers has come under scrutiny as record-breaking temperatures this summer have prompted debate over the adequacy of the alerts. The longest streak of extreme heat in August saw the maximum temperature recorded at 33 degrees Celsius or above for nine consecutive days. Despite these scorching conditions, only the lowest-tier amber warning was issued by the Labour Department, despite the Hong Kong Observatory recording a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The Hong Kong Heat Index, a system developed through joint research by the Hong Kong Observatory and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, determines the severity of heat stress based on air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. However, the index places less emphasis on solar radiation compared to the widely used Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, which is standard in Japan.

Critics argue that this underestimation of solar radiation makes the Hong Kong Heat Index less representative of the conditions faced by outdoor workers, who are often exposed to direct sunlight.

The Observatory's former directors have called for the Labour Department to adopt the WBGT index, which better reflects the environment experienced by local residents and outdoor workers. They argue that record-high temperatures are becoming more frequent due to climate change and that extreme heat poses a greater health risk than other severe weather events. They also suggest lowering the thresholds for issuing heat stress warnings to better protect workers.