As temperatures rise, the Labour Department (LD) has issued a Heat Stress at Work Warning, urging both employers and employees to take immediate action to prevent heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke. This warning, based on the Hong Kong Heat Index, underscores the risks faced by those working in hot environments, particularly outdoor and non-air-conditioned indoor settings.
Workers exposed to high temperatures are at greater risk, prompting the LD to call for comprehensive assessments of heat stress factors at workplaces. Employers are advised to implement crucial preventive measures, such as rescheduling work hours, providing shaded areas, improving ventilation, and ensuring access to hydration.
“The health and safety of our workforce is paramount,” a spokesperson for the LD stated. “Employers must adhere to our ‘Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work’ to conduct thorough risk assessments tailored to their operational demands.”
The Heat Stress Warning operates on a three-tiered system—Amber, Red, and Black—each indicating varying levels of heat stress risk. As conditions escalate, employers are encouraged to arrange regular breaks for employees, ideally every hour, to mitigate the dangers of prolonged exposure to heat.
Employees play a critical role in their own safety as well. The LD emphasizes the importance of adhering to guidelines for rest and hydration. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea, should be treated seriously. Workers are advised to seek shade, hydrate, and notify supervisors if they experience any distress.
As Hong Kong faces another sweltering season, the call to action is clear: both employers and employees must work together to foster a safe working environment to combat the risks associated with heat stress.
The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.
