Hong Kong’s Labour Department and Observatory experts are reviewing the Heat Stress at Work Warning system, with Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun saying the government aims to announce an improvement proposal by the end of August 2026. The review will examine the system’s parameters and the thresholds for raising the alert from amber, its first level, to red.
The review follows a record-breaking heat wave in August during which the three-tier warning system remained at amber. The Observatory headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui recorded 36.9°C during the heat wave.
Star Headline reported that three former Observatory directors questioned the use of the Observatory’s heat index as the standard for the warning. They called for wet-bulb globe temperature data to be used instead. The reports did not indicate that the government had adopted this recommendation.
Sun said any changes should allow the system to operate smoothly while taking account of the difficulties workers face in different environments.
The system has been operating for about three years and has previously undergone continuous optimisation involving its activation model and monitoring stations, according to Star Headline.
The government’s stated target is to complete the review and announce an improved proposal by August 31, 2026. The available reports do not confirm whether any changes will be implemented by that date, or whether a transition arrangement will be introduced. They also do not say that heatstroke will be classified as an occupational injury.