Labour Department Issues Heat Stress Alert: Employers Urged to Protect Workers from Heatstroke

As temperatures increase, the Labour Department (LD) has activated the Heat Stress at Work Warning and asked both employers and employees to take actions to minimize heatstroke at work in hot work environments.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Employees who work outdoors or in indoor non-air conditioned climates are the most susceptible to heat related illnesses. The LD explains that these employees have a higher likelihood of suffering from heat stress especially if they are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time.

What Should Employers Do?

Employers are required to

Complete heat stress risk assessments following the LD’s “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”.

Implement control measures, for example:

Rescheduling work hours

Providing shaded areas and ventilation equipment

Access to drinking water and rest breaks

Set up hourly rest breaks where reasonably practicable, according to the warning level.

What Are the Warning Levels?

The LD’s Heat Stress at Work Warning is based on the Hong Kong Heat Index and is presented as three levels of increased severity: 

Amber

Red 

Black 

For employers, the levels help guide safety changes based on the threat level.

For employees, remember to: 

Follow rest regimes.  

Drink plenty of water. 

Report symptoms: headaches, dizziness, nausea, a thirst feeling, immediately. 

If symptoms occur, rest or get cool/shade. 

The LD would like everyone to stay tuned in and visit their dedicated webpage for updates on how to stay safe. 

This warning is a timely reminder of the importance of being proactive and protecting the health and safety of workers in extreme heat conditions.