How To Protect Your Employees During Hong Kong Summer?
- Adit Bhatnagar
- Jun 7, 2023
- 5 min read
Hong Kong summers are known to be scorching hot. With temperatures reaching 35-plus degrees Celsius in May. As we get closer to the peak summer season, temperatures are expected to rise to dangerous levels.
The rising temperatures in Hong Kong will negatively affect employees who work outdoors for most or all of their jobs. However, the Hong Kong heat can be hazardous and seriously dangerous to all employees in some way.
It is the employer’s duty to make sure their employees are safe whenever they are working. Hence, the article will explain the necessary steps employers must take to make sure they are protecting their employees during the summer in Hong Kong.
Employees Affected the Most by the Hong Kong Summer
There is a range of employees in Hong Kong whose main job is working outdoors or in hot environments. Such employees are more at risk of workplace injuries and illnesses due to the Hong Kong summer heat.
The employees who are at high risk include:
Chefs (the heat can turn the kitchen into a sauna)
Traffic Controllers
Security guards
Street Cleaners
Delivery drivers
Construction Workers
Scaffolders
In a recent Greenpeace survey conducted among outdoor workers in Hong Kong, 90% agreed that the weather has become warmer over the years and is affecting their work. Sadly, over 52% of workers mentioned they had felt signs of heat-related illnesses, including dizziness, difficulty breathing, headaches, and physical exhaustion.
Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat rash, heat exhaustion or heat cramps. Heat stress-related injuries or illnesses are serious and can lead to long-term damage or even death. Therefore, employers must do their part to help employees avoid such illnesses and heat risks.
Steps To Protect Employees During the Hong Kong Summer Heat
Supply More Than Enough Water
Constant hydration is one of the keys to avoiding heat-related illnesses and making the Hong Kong summer bearable. Hence, it is the employer’s duty to provide enough water for each employee during the working period. The offered water can be dispensed through dispensers or in large amounts of portable water bottles.
Employers can also provide electrolyte-rich drinks to increase hydration. These drinks include the famous Hong Kong brand Pocari Sweat, available in bottle or powder form. Additionally, employers must remind employees of the importance of being hydrated throughout the day.
Follow Hong Kong Heat Stress Warning
The labour department has recently issued a new heat-stress warning to guide high-risk employees. The Hong Kong Observatory has labelled these warnings as amber, red, and black—amber at 30 degrees, red at 32 degrees, and black at
In addition, the warnings include a specific break suggestion for each labour category. Employees can also use the labour department’s rest time calculator.
Picture from the Labour Department
Employers are not legally required to follow these warnings. However, employers should respect these warning indications to make sure each employee is protected this Hong Kong summer. The warning could help avoid heat strokes immensely and save lives.
Cool Rest Area
There is no point in taking a break if workers must rest in the heat. Hence, employers must provide comfortable rest facilities. A room or area where employees can cool down and relax with the help of fans or an air conditioner.
These rooms benefit employees to recover, refresh, eat and socialise. The better an employee feels, the better the work outcome – employee satisfaction is vital in such environments.
The room could be a container (temporarily made room) on the construction site or a room near the work location. The area can help prevent workers from overheating and experiencing heat stress symptoms when used appropriately. The space can also contain a water dispenser, bottles and healthy snacks. The room can also be a blessing when it begins to rain for short periods.
Provide Suitable Gear
Another Hong Kong summer protection strategy employers can execute is providing the right gear. Appropriate gear during high-temperature weather is vital to ensure employees do not overheat and remain safe from the roasting sun (especially high-risk employees).
The appropriate gear should include lightweight clothing (uniform), UV-protected sunglasses, hats or heatproof helmets, and an adequate level of sunscreen. The right gear promotes airflow, sustains a healthy body temperature and protects employees from harsh UV radiation.
Employees should not be able to work without their heat protective gear to encourage a safe workplace during Hong Kong summers.
Educate About Workplace Safety in The Hong Kong Heat
Heat strokes need immediate medical attention and can take weeks to recover from. Without proper medical care, it can lead to death. Employees should understand the dangers of working in the high heat of the Hong Kong summer. Employers must provide professional education (seminars) on the topic to help employees and the company.
The seminar should inform each employee about heat strokes, how to prevent them, symptoms, where to report illness and company mandatory requirements. Additionally, when employees know more about heat safety, they will be more motivated to drink water, wear their gear, take breaks and be more careful.
Avoid Long Hours
Sometimes employers focus on the outcome and want the work completed as soon as possible. However, this attitude may not be the best during the Hong Kong summer. The more hours employees work in the heat, the higher the chance of heat stroke.
Employers should encourage employees to take frequent breaks and limit daily hours in the heat.
Avoiding long hours in the Hong Kong heat can help prevent heat stress tremendously. Employees should always be more important than the speed of the outcome.
Forcing employees to work all day and skipping breaks will lead to work injuries and huge employer liability risks.
How Employee Compensation Insurance Can Help Employers in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, employers must cover the costs of work injuries or illnesses. The costs include medical expenses, salary while recovering and possible compensation (if partially or permanently disabled). The expenses can add up to a large amount for the employer, depending on the severity of the injury.
Heat stroke injuries can always occur even after these steps, due to the heat or employees not following instructions. Therefore, employers must purchase employee compensation insurance.
Employee compensation insurance will cover the expenses related to the work injury or illness. The insurance will reimburse the employer for the medical and compensation costs they provided to the employee. The insurance is legally mandatory, and high-quality employee compensation insurance can help the employee and employer during tough times.
Hong Kong’s summer is predicted to be the hottest in years, and employers must be ready to protect their employees.
To Learn More about employee compensation insurance and get the best coverage for your employee in Hong Kong, contact Red Asia Insurance.
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