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World likely to breach 1.5°C global warming threshold sooner than we think, meteorologists warn

World likely to breach 1.5°C global warming threshold sooner than we think, meteorologists warn

But a check by the Post found that some workers were not only unaware of the signal but also the rest periods suggested under the guidelines.

A lady, surnamed Yiu, who works at a Quarry Bay construction site, said she had learned about the system from a newspaper but was not notified by her supervisor when the amber warning was issued.

In Kai Tak, a construction worker surnamed Hung also said he did not know it had been issued as he was focusing on his work. He did not “bother to time each break” as he could simply rest when needed, he said, while holding a portable fan.

A cleaner, who gave her name as Li Yu, said she was “covered in sweat” during the time the warning was in force and had been working non-stop since she clocked in at 3pm.

Bosses must follow heat guidelines for the sake of workers

She said her supervisors at Jasen Services Limited, an outsourced contractor of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, had not mentioned the new suggested procedures.

The department said it had sent a reminder letter to contractors with information concerning the guidelines. Contractors who failed to provide occupational safety to their employees would be held accountable, it added.

Industry representatives had earlier voiced concerns that the guidelines released by the Labour Department were confusing and difficult for employees to follow.

Lawmaker Frankie Ngan Man-yu, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the fact that some employers had failed to notify their workers about the warning signal on Thursday reflected that many of them were yet to digest the information.

He urged the government to step up its publicity campaign to help employers in different sectors better understand the measures they should implement.

Leung Tsz-yan, organiser of Cleaning Workers Union, said it was completely up to companies to decide how to implement the measures given the lack of public awareness and the voluntary nature of the new scheme.

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She pointed out that currently a lot of cleaners were fearful about getting caught taking breaks as their rest times were not spelled out clearly by their employers.

Terence Ng Choi-wah, president of Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association, said enhancing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment at sites would be a more effective measure to prevent heatstroke among workers.

Baguio Green Group, one of the city’s major street sweeping services providers, said it had immediately reminded all supervisors through text messages, instant messaging software and phone calls to arrange appropriate rest time for employees after the amber warning was issued.

Asked about its efforts in notifying construction and cleaning companies, the Labour Department said employers should keep an eye on the alerts sent by the “My Observatory” and “GovHK Notifications” apps, or find relevant updates on the forecaster’s website.

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An amber warning is issued when the index reaches 30, upgrading to red at 32 and switching to black once it hits 34. At each stage, the system recommends various work arrangements based on the relevant labour conditions.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han earlier warned that employers who did not heed the advice of the voluntary guidelines could still face legal consequences, saying authorities would conduct inspections and issue warnings over non-compliance.