Typhoon Koinu: T8 will remain in force in Hong Kong until 11:40am

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The Observatory will issue the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 at 11:40 am.

The No. 8 Northeast Gale or Storm Signal is in force in Hong Kong. With Koinu departing, local winds are likely to weaken gradually. The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 at 11:40 am.

The Observatory has also issued a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, Thunderstorm Warning, Landslip Warning and Special Announcement On Flooding In Northern New Territories. Members of the public are advised to stay at home or remain in a safe shelter.

The Labour Department (LD) reminded employers to make work arrangements for staff during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings, including arrangements on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work and work from home (if applicable).

Under special situations, if it is necessary for employees to report for duty at workplaces under adverse weather conditions, employers should work out arrangements for their transportation, safety, meal, rest place and more. If public transport services are suspended or limited when T8 or higher is in force, employers should provide safe transport services for employees travelling to and from workplaces, or grant them an extra travelling allowance.

An LD spokesperson said, in drawing up and implementing the relevant work arrangements and contingency measures, apart from factors such as operational needs of establishments, employers should give prime consideration to employees' safety and the feasibility for employees to travel to and from their workplaces.

Employers should also give consideration as much as possible to the different situations faced by individual employees, such as their place of residence and the road and traffic conditions in the vicinity, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach with due regard to their actual difficulties and needs. For example, employers may permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work from home or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work.

In addition, as the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Observatory, employers and contractors should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

Employers should observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance. Regarding the major principles, the framework, the reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation on making work arrangements, employers may refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" published by the LD.

Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for death or injury incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when T8 or higher or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force, or within the period (including any extended period) during which "extreme conditions" that arise from a super typhoon or other natural disaster of a substantial scale exist as specified in an "extreme conditions" announcement.

Image / The Hong Kong Observatory