More than half of outdoor sanitation workers suffer from heat-related illnesses, survey finds as Hong Kong’s temperature climbs above 35 degrees Celsius
- 150 outdoor sanitation and pest control workers were surveyed between August and September in study
- Symptoms included dizziness, difficulty breathing, exhaustion and headache
More than half of outdoor sanitation workers have suffered from heat-related illnesses in the past two months, a survey has found, as Hong Kong roasts under record-setting temperatures.
The environmental group Greenpeace and the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs on Wednesday revealed the results of their poll of 150 outdoor sanitation and pest control workers between August and September.
The study found that 52.7 per cent of the respondents had experienced heat-related illnesses, with symptoms including dizziness, difficulty breathing, exhaustion and headache. Among them, 20 per cent said they had suffered from such symptoms every day.
One pest control worker who wished to remain anonymous said she felt the hot weather had become extreme in recent years, making her job more exhausting.
“My whole body is always full of sweat during work and sometimes I feel very dizzy,” the 63-year-old worker said. “And because we need to put our masks on all the time, it’s even more difficult to work.”
She added that she needed to wear a half-face respirator mask, goggles and a gown that covered her whole body while carrying out mosquito control efforts.
“The goggles are full of steam and my mask is filled with sweat. It feels like you have fallen into a pool as your whole body gets wet,” she said, adding she had developed a heat rash on her back since a change of clothing was not provided during her daily shifts.