Hong Kong Labour Department to refine Heat Stress at Work Warning system from 20 April 2026 to better protect workers

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Data from nine more monitoring locations will be incorporated, with a corresponding warning to be issued if four or more locations record heat stress levels above the threshold.

Hong Kong’s Labour Department (LD) will enhance its Heat Stress at Work Warning issuance system from 20 April 2026, including heat stress data from monitoring stations in nine more locations – beyond the existing King’s Park station – to determine whether a warning should be issued, as reported by local media outlets.

The nine additional locations are:

• Hong Kong Observatory headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui
• Beas River
• Chek Lap Kok
• Happy Valley
• Kau Sai Chau
• Kowloon Bay
• Sha Tin
• Wetland Park
• Wong Chuk Hang

Currently, the LD issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning based on the Hong Kong Heat Index (HKHI) measured by the Hong Kong Observatory at King’s Park. Following the refinement, a corresponding warning will be issued if four or more monitoring stations record heat stress levels reaching a certain level, even if readings at King’s Park alone do not warrant such an alert.

The LD introduced its Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work and the Heat Stress at Work Warning system on 15 May 2023. The framework comprises three warning levels – Amber, Red, and Black – based on the HKHI, with the aim of reminding employers and employees to take appropriate preventive measures when working in hot weather or high‑temperature environments.

On the other hand, the LD plans to pilot the use of technology in the second half of this year to support inspections of high‑risk drainage works and related accident investigations.

Small unmanned detection vehicles will be deployed to enter confined spaces to monitor harmful gas levels, detect silt accumulation, capture photos and videos, and generate 3D reality models. The technology is expected to enhance occupational safety, health inspections, accident investigations, and evidence collection, as well as help verify the accuracy and completeness of risk assessments conducted by qualified personnel.

Image / Labour Department