Former Observatory directors urge government to revise heat stress warning system

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Former Hong Kong Observatory directors Lee Boon-ying and Shun Chi-ming publicly urged the Labour Department to revise the Heat Stress at Work Warning system, arguing that it relies on an incorrect heat index for outdoor labor. The intervention followed controversy when the system remained at the lowest 'amber' alert level on Sunday, despite the Hong Kong Observatory recording a record-breaking 36.9 degrees Celsius at its headquarters and 38.9 degrees Celsius in Sheung Shui. The former officials stated that the current Heat Index is designed for the general public rather than outdoor workers and recommended switching to the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature, which they described as a more accurate metric for assessing heat stress. Former director Lam Chiu-ying also criticized the system, labeling it 'decorative.'

Consequences

In response to the mounting criticism, the Labour Department announced on Tuesday that it would begin a process to revamp the existing warning system. These changes will likely involve adjusting the technical criteria to improve the protection of outdoor workers against heat-related illness as rising temperatures become more frequent.

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