Entering September, Hong Kong continues to be hot, and the risk of heat stroke at outdoor work is high.
Today (15th), the AFL joined the workers who work outdoors to submit a letter of opinion to the Government Secretariat and a petition letter to the representative of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, urging the authorities to formulate more specific guidelines when revising the "Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" It is suggested that the work should be stopped when it reaches the most serious risk level, and the guidelines should be reviewed one year after the introduction.
▼On September 15th, the AFL sent a letter of opinion and petition to the Political Bureau▼
The authorities will revise the "Risk Assessment for Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" guideline to include the heat index
From June to August this year, the Observatory issued more than 30 severe hot weather warnings. In June, a tree trimmer was suspected of dying from heat stroke during his work. The temperature reached 35.9 degrees Celsius in the afternoon the day before (13th), breaking the highest temperature in September ever recorded in Hong Kong. , outdoor workers continue to work in high temperature, and the risk of heat stroke is doubled.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare has said that the authorities will revise the "Risk Assessment for Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" guidelines to include the Observatory's heat index.
The labor union advocates that the heat index must define different risk levels and set different work guidelines
The AFL joined the workers who work outdoors today to submit a letter of opinion to the Government Secretariat and a petition letter to the representative of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, urging the authorities to clearly define the risk level of the heat index when revising the guidelines on "Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" , formulate corresponding work guidelines according to different risk levels. If the index reaches the most serious level, the Labour Department must instruct outdoor workers to stop working.
The indexes at all levels should also list the allowable outdoor working hours and the proportion of breaks. For example, following the “Labor Protection Measures for High Temperature Weather” of Guangdong Province, the Mainland, when the temperature reaches 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, employers must take measures such as changing shifts, and Measures such as outdoor work and overtime shall not be arranged to protect the rights and interests of employees.
▼Dry continental air flow on September 14 affected the weather in Hong Kong ▼
+3
It is suggested that the review after one year is ineffective and should be regulated by legislation
The AFL pointed out that the current "Risk Assessment for Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" recommends that outdoor work be arranged before 10 am or after 4 pm, and rest every 20 to 40 minutes. It is unheard of, and it is reported that few employers follow the relevant recommendations. They urge the government to review the guidelines one year after the introduction. If the results are ineffective, they should be regulated by legislation. If the situation does not improve, they should be regulated by legislation, and heatstroke should be listed as an occupational disease as soon as possible.
▼There is a risk of heat stroke if you work outdoors for a long time in summer▼
The AFL also mentioned that there are currently more than 20 fatal industrial accidents every year on average, reflecting the imperfection of the current occupational safety and health laws. According to government information, about 32% of those convicted for violating occupational safety and health laws in 2020 will be repeat offenders. It is reflected that repeat offenses are common and the current legislation has no deterrent effect. We urge the government to improve the relevant penalties as soon as possible to ensure that the penalties reflect the seriousness of the case, so as to encourage employers to improve occupational safety measures.
Hot weather | Elevator companies push heat pressure gauges to monitor the temperature and humidity of elevator shafts to prevent maintenance workers from heat stroke Set up work stoppages, arrange for heatstroke, non-occupational diseases, site workers, self-rescue and cool down, employers are only compassionate: because there are no exceptions, there is no end to the hot weather Follow the guidelines to promote fever and occupational diseases
