Construction Workers Call for Heat Stroke to Be Listed as Occupational Disease
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Labour Department and Hong Kong Observatory are jointly reviewing the work heat stress warning system amid extreme summer temperatures in Hong Kong. Construction industry representatives have raised alarms about dangerous working conditions, with thermometer readings reaching 54.6°C at a construction site in Discovery Bay. Legislative Council members are calling for heat stroke to be officially recognised as an occupational disease, a status it currently does not hold under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
Key Points
- Construction Industry General Workers' Union chairman Chow Si-kit described construction workers as being in a dire situation, with complex site environments leading to high risks of injury and heat stroke
- A worker photographed a thermometer showing 54.6°C at a Discovery Bay construction site, highlighting extreme heat conditions
- Legislative Council Human Resources Affairs Committee vice-chairman Lam Chun-seng noted that heat stroke is not among the 48 statutory occupational diseases covered by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance
- The Employees' Compensation Ordinance has not added any new occupational diseases for over 20 years, with Lam calling for a comprehensive review
- Former Hong Kong Observatory director Lam Chiu-ying suggested adopting the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index and referencing mainland standards, such as mandatory work suspension at 40°C
Why It Matters
With Hong Kong experiencing record-breaking temperatures, the outcome of these discussions could reshape labour protection standards for outdoor workers across the city. The government's decision on whether to designate heat stroke as an occupational disease will set a precedent for worker compensation claims and may require employers to provide additional heat protection measures, including potentially mandatory equipment like cooling fan shirts .
With Hong Kong experiencing record-breaking temperatures, the outcome of these discussions could reshape labour protection standards for outdoor workers across the city. The government's decision on whether to designate heat stroke as an occupational disease will set a precedent for worker compensation claims and may require employers to provide additional heat protection measures, including potentially mandatory equipment like cooling fan shirts .