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Fiona Sun

Hong Kong authorities aim to complete a revamp of the city’s heat-stress warning system by the end of this month, the labour minister has said, following criticism that the alert level was not increased during record-breaking temperatures.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Tuesday that changes to the Heat Stress at Work Warning system would require thorough preparatory work at several levels.
This would include setting the system’s activation thresholds and determining how alerts would be triggered to ensure seamless operation, he said.
Sun added that any adjustments to optimise the system must address the challenges posed by climate change in Hong Kong.
“Our current goal is to complete this work as quickly as possible, make any necessary adjustments promptly and put them into practice,” he said.
“I have discussed this with the Labour Department and the Hong Kong Observatory, asking them to spare no effort so that we can present the optimised plan to everyone by the end of August.”
The Labour Department recently came under criticism after its warning system remained at the lowest level despite a peak temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius (103 Fahrenheit) being recorded at the Observatory’s headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 9 – the highest such reading since records began in 1884.

Former Observatory director Lam Chiu-ying earlier described the heat index used by the warning system as “a wrong parameter”.
The Hong Kong Heat Index formula comprises three variables: air temperature; wet-bulb temperature, which reflects humidity and wind speed; and globe temperature, which reflects the heating effect of the sun.
He said the index, which did not give much weight to heating from sunshine, had been designed to reflect the broader environment experienced by residents rather than the conditions faced by outdoor workers.
Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum previously said that his department was working with the Observatory to lower the activation thresholds for temperature and solar radiation, making it easier to trigger higher-tier alerts during extreme heat.
The warning system, launched in May 2023, uses a heat index developed with the Observatory and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It takes into account temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation and hospital admissions.
The warnings are divided into three tiers – amber, red and black – for outdoor or non-air-conditioned work. They are advisory and not legally binding.
Employers are encouraged to give workers additional rest breaks under an amber warning, suspend very heavy labour under a red warning and halt heavy work under a black warning.


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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong aiming to revamp heat-stress warning system by end of this month

Authorities are reviewing thresholds for Hong Kong’s heat-stress work warnings following criticism over the system’s response to extreme heat. Photo: Sam Tsang

Labour chief Chris Sun says Hong Kong aims to optimise its heat-stress warning system by the end of this month. Photo: Dickson Lee

Authorities are reviewing thresholds for Hong Kong’s heat-stress work warnings following criticism over the system’s response to extreme heat. Photo: Karma Lo

Extreme heat grips Hong Kong as expert, labour groups urge district-level index

A construction worker shelters under an umbrella in Central. Photo: Karma Lo

Workers take a rest during the extreme heatwave this week. Photo: Sam Tsang

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui earlier said his department was working with the Observatory to make it easier to trigger higher-tier alerts during extreme heat. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong considers lowering heat-stress warning thresholds amid criticism

Labour officials are reviewing the sensitivity of Hong Kong’s heat-stress warning system after it remained at its lowest level during record heat. Photo: Sam Tsang

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui says the heat-stress warning system may be adjusted to better reflect exceptionally high temperatures. Photo: Elson Li

Why is Hong Kong’s heat-stress warning system for outdoor workers in the hot seat?

The record-breaking heat sparked controversy over the Labour Department’s Heat Stress at Work Warning system. Photo: Handout

Labourers work in extreme heat at a construction site in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

All three former Observatory directors have urged the Labour Department to adopt WBGT, which gives greater weight to solar radiation, and revise its Heat Stress at Work Warning system accordingly. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong

Society

Labour minister Chris Sun says authorities adjusting system after it failed to trigger higher alert during record-breaking temperatures


Labour minister Chris Sun says authorities adjusting system after it failed to trigger higher alert during record-breaking temperatures.


Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong workers and labour rights

Chris Sun Yuk-han

Hong Kong aiming to revamp heat-stress warning system by end of this month

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Labour minister Chris Sun says authorities adjusting system after it failed to trigger higher alert during record-breaking temperatures

Labour minister Chris Sun says authorities adjusting system after it failed to trigger higher alert during record-breaking temperatures