share on
Hong Kong's Labour Department has reminded employers to make prior work arrangements and take appropriate precautionary measures to ensure employee safety.
As Super Typhoon Ragasa moves closer to the Guangdong coast, weather conditions in Hong Kong are expected to deteriorate rapidly later today (23 September). In response, the Hong Kong Observatory will issue the Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 at 2:20pm.
The “Pre-No.8 Special Announcement” will be made approximately two hours before Signal No. 8 takes effect. Depending on Ragasa’s proximity to Hong Kong and evolving wind conditions, the Observatory may consider issuing higher Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals later tonight or early tomorrow (24 September).
The Labour Department (LD) has reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for employees during and after tropical cyclone warnings, rainstorm warnings, and extreme conditions, and to take appropriate precautionary measures immediately to safeguard employee safety and secure workplace equipment.
A LD spokesperson said, "According to the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, employers have an obligation to ensure the safety and health of employees at work, including providing and maintaining safe workplaces, safe systems of work and safe plant. If employees are required to work under adverse weather or extreme conditions, employers must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the hazards associated with relevant working environments are properly controlled and the risks are reduced to the minimum."
The spokesperson added that, before the approach of typhoons or adverse weather, employers should:
- pay attention to weather forecasts issued by the Hong Kong Observatory,
- suspend all non-essential outdoor work, and
- arrange for employees to take shelter in safe locations or leave work early.
If it is necessary to arrange for employees to be on duty, employers must conduct advance assessments of the work risks caused by typhoons or adverse weather, promptly make work arrangements and take corresponding precautionary measures.
Employers are also reminded to secure all outdoor equipment to prevent accidents. Failure to comply with the relevant provisions under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance are liable to a maximum fine of HK$10mn and imprisonment for two years.
After the typhoon or adverse weather has passed, employers and employees should still remain vigilant, inspect workplaces, and take adequate safety measures before fully resuming work.
Meanwhile, the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau is expected to issue a Tropical Cyclone Signal No.8 at 5pm today. The probability of a Typhoon Signal No.9 being issued around midnight of Wednesday (24 September) and a Tropical Cyclone Signal No.10 in the early morning is relatively high.
share on
