Authorities considering to adjust Heat Stress at Work warning

The Very Hot Weather Warning is currently in force with several areas across the city recording temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius this afternoon.

Weather authorities have also issued the Amber Heat Stress at Work warning.This as Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui said there could be updates to the hot weather work warning system.

Amid blistering weather conditions, workers continue to toil under the sun at this construction site in Central's Lung Wo Road.

Under the Labour Department's Heat Stress at Work Warning, heat stress is categorised according to the Observatory's amber, red and black system.Since it was rolled out in 2023, the system has already issued over 200 amber warnings but never red or black.

And even with the mercury having surpassed the record-breaking 36.9 degrees on Sunday, the Heat Stress at Work Warning remained at the amber level.

Speaking with TVB News, Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui stressed the current hot weather warning system should be questioned. He noted there is a difference between the scientific data behind the heat and residents' perception of the weather, which influences the level issued under the Heat Stress at Work Warning.

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui further said the current Heat Stress at Work warning already takes into consideration factors such as temperature, humidity and wind speed.

He added that his department is already holding talks with the Observatory to assess the need to adjust the system.

Former Observatory Director Lam Chiu-ying, meanwhile, suggested using a more straightforward method to set a standard for the hot weather warning system -- with the amber level issued at 35 degrees, the red level at 37 degrees and black at 39 degrees or above.

The former Observatory chief also proposed using the Web-bulb globe temperature measurement to guide the warning system, as the device combines considerations for temperature, humidity, wind speed and radiation levels.