Hong Kong officials feel heat on outdoor work rules
- City guidelines on the prevention of heatstroke at work have been widely criticised by various industries as impractical and difficult to follow
People working in air-conditioned offices may not readily feel the heat of those who toil under the blazing sun in summer. It appears to be the case with Hong Kong bureaucrats, whose guidelines on the prevention of heatstroke at work have been widely criticised by various industries as impractical and difficult to follow.
With many outdoor workers having to cope with unbearably high temperatures and humidity every day, officials must not sit on a review for too long.
Adding to the urgency for action is a survey that shows official heat stress warnings were largely ignored by some cleaning workers. Of the 96 respondents polled by the Concern for Grassroots’ Livelihood Alliance at 11 refuse collection points last month, only 18.8 per cent fully followed the guidelines.
While some said they were unaware of the details, others chose to continue working because they still had to finish their tasks anyway or there was a lack of resting locations. It may be argued that findings would be different if more cleaning workers and their employers were included.
It nonetheless provides a snapshot of the situation in the industry.
Under the new three-tier warning system that takes into account temperatures, humidity and other factors, outdoor work should be suspended or a rest period allocated for 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of job. Since its implementation in May, the lowest amber code has been issued at least 47 times, with its duration ranging from a few hours to as short as 15 minutes.
Some industries said the guidelines were confusing and difficult to follow, referring to the changing weather-linked warnings and their unique work circumstances. The construction industry was reportedly drafting its conditions to deal with hot weather, while the cleaning sector said it would follow its own rules about resting time.
Hong Kong’s heat stress warnings ‘fail to consider varying temperatures across city’
The Labour Department said it had conducted about 8,500 workplace inspections and issued an estimated 530 warnings to those who ignored the rules. But it also noted the negative feedback and pledged to carefully monitor the situation and work with the Observatory to explore ways to optimise the system.
We trust officials do not have to leave their nice cool offices to feel the heat of those who are eagerly waiting for clearer and practical rules to follow.
