Call for employers to manage heat risks in workplace

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui urged employers to familiarize themselves with the updated heat stress warning system for workplaces, as reported on a TVB programme. Hui emphasized that many employers might not be aware of the new framework and stressed that they bear legal responsibility to manage heat-related risks for their workers during extreme temperatures.

While the system itself is not a law, it is necessary for all employers to fulfill their duty of occupational health and safety for their workers. Risks associated with heat exposure include heat exhaustion and heatstroke, according to Hui. Hui spoke after authorities added two new triggers to the system at the end of August. He clarified that employers should not view heat warnings as automatic orders to cease all work but instead conduct risk assessments, set up cooling stations, fans, ventilation, shade, cooling clothing, and adjust heavy labor away from the peak heat hours.

When asked whether the system should follow the international Wet-bulb Globe Temperature standard, Hui pointed out that the standard would not effectively address Hong Kong's humid and poorly ventilated working conditions, including indoor workplaces without air conditioning. Hui added that the government would assess data from the previous summer before making any further adjustments to the system before the upcoming hot season.