Questions had been raised after the lowest-level amber warning was issued on Sunday as the city sweltered through its hottest day on record – with temperatures at the Hong Kong Observatory reaching 36.9 degrees, while the mercury hit 39.8C in Sheung Shui.
A Labour Department spokesman said in a statement that despite the extreme heat on Sunday, the temperature is only one of the risk factors for heat stress. Since the humidity was low, and wind conditions were favourable, he said, the amber warning was issued in line with the established mechanism.
However, the spokesman added that the department will closely monitor the hot weather and review whether the heat stress warning system needs to be optimised further.
He also noted that under Hong Kong’s Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for work-related injuries or fatalities among staff – including for cases involving hot weather.
However, the spokesman added that whether a specific incident qualifies as a work injury depends on the actual facts and circumstances, and if the department cannot help resolve disputes over such matters, these cases will be determined in court.
The observatory warned that temperatures will continue to exceed 37 degrees in some areas on Monday and Tuesday, as the subsiding air associated with Tropical Cyclone Dolphin continues to bring extreme heat to the territory.
