Editorial | Safeguard the health of Hong Kong’s outdoor workers
- The Hong Kong government says it will update guidelines to better protect people who have to work under the sun while breathing polluted air, but ultimately legislation may be required
The searing heat and choking pollution experienced in Hong Kong this summer have driven residents to seek refuge in their air-conditioned homes and offices. But not all workers are able to escape. Outdoor workers, among the least well paid, have no choice but to continue to toil in these oppressive conditions, putting their health at risk.
A survey published this week found more than half of outdoor sanitation and pest control workers reported suffering heat-related illnesses over the last two months. Their symptoms included dizziness, difficulty in breathing, exhaustion and headaches. Twenty per cent said they had suffered from such symptoms every day.
The results are broadly consistent with a similar study last month showing two-thirds of refuse collection workers to have constantly felt unwell on the job. And at least five outdoor workers have died while on duty since June, although it is not clear whether the heat was a factor.
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Elderly Chinese ‘chill out’ in air-conditioned supermarket to beat the heat
There is a lot of government advice available to employers, to make them aware of the danger and to help ensure their staff are protected from the risk of heatstroke. The availability of cool water, frequent breaks with a place to shelter from the sun and appropriate clothing are all essential. Shifts should be rescheduled to avoid the hottest part of the day.
The government recently announced that it would develop more comprehensive guidelines using the Observatory’s heat index. This is a step in the right direction as the index provides a more sophisticated means of gauging risks.
But guidelines are only recommendations not backed up by specific legal provisions. The advice is often qualified by terms such as “where practicable …”. This means the safety of workers depends on employers being responsible.
Sadly, climate change means we can expect higher temperatures in the future. July was the hottest month the city had ever recorded. Care must be taken to ensure the welfare of outdoor workers. If conditions are too bad, work should stop.
