Hong Kong lawmaker calls for mandatory heat stress assessments for workers
Lawmaker Lam Wai-kong praises improved heat warnings but urges mandatory heat stress assessments and simplified rest rules to better protect workers in diverse environments like construction sites and warehouses.
Hong Kong lawmaker Lam Wai-kong has welcomed the Labour Department's August optimisation of the hot weather warning system, which lowered the threshold for triggering warnings under extreme heat. However, he argues the system still fails to accurately reflect conditions in certain workplaces, such as construction sites, warehouses and kitchens, and is calling for legislation to mandate employer-conducted heat stress assessments.
Speaking to RTHK's programme 'Yi Zheng Si Fang', Lam acknowledged that the revamped system has improved sensitivity and increased the frequency of higher-level warnings. He noted that since the optimisation, no red or black warnings have been issued, attributing this to relatively cooler weather, and said he would monitor the system over time.
Lam, a labour-sector lawmaker, highlighted the diversity of Hong Kong's work environments. Construction workers face prolonged sun exposure, while some indoor workers report warehouses without air conditioning, relying only on fans. He questioned whether ventilation and equipment in such indoor spaces are adequate, noting that employers can choose to ignore existing assessment guidelines. He urged stronger legal enforcement to better protect workers.
The lawmaker also criticised the current 'Guidelines on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work', which tie rest and work stoppage rules to work intensity and warning levels. He described the mechanism as overly complex and called for simplification to improve clarity and compliance.