The construction industry calls for action to prevent heatstroke

In response to the recently issued Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) calls for heat stroke prevention measures in the industry as summer approaches.

The construction industry has been actively responding to the Labour Department’s Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work since May. Recently, CIC Chairman Ir Thomas Ho paid visits to various construction sites to encourage the industry to implement heat prevention measures as suggested by the Guidance Notes. Together with the Acting Commissioner for Labour Mr. Vincent Fung; CIC Member Mr. Chan Kim-kwong;

Chairman of Hong Kong Construction Industry Registered Specialists Trade Union Federation Mr. Chow Luen-kiu, the group visited a construction site in Tseung Kwan O last Friday.

The group examined the site’s heatstroke prevention measures ranging from sheltered rest areas, notice boards listing the guidelines on rest arrangement, to various cooling facilities such as ice makers and fans. The group then distributed cooling drinks, fruits, mini fans, cooling arm sleeves and water bottles to workers and reminded them to stay alert for signs and symptoms of getting heatstroke.

“As heat waves are expected to prevail, the industry should immediately respond to the Guidance Notes,” Ho said. “There’s nothing more important than workers’ well-being.” He added that while clear categorization of work tasks, guidelines on rest arrangement, appropriate sheltered rest areas as well as cooling supplies need to be in place, workers should be vigilant about their health, working within their abilities while staying safe.

“The Labour Department and the construction industry share the goal of preventing employees from getting heatstroke at work,” Fung said. “We’ll assist the industry in adopting the recommendations in the Guidance Notes to reduce the employees’ risk of heatstroke.”

Chan added that the CIC encourages construction sites to inform workers of real-time weather updates, set up sheltered spaces around sites, and distribute cooling snacks and equipment to workers. “Let’s put ‘Life First, Say No to Heat Stroke’ into action!” He urged.

Climate change has led to a rise in temperature in Hong Kong, which is especially noticeable in summer, Chow noted. “The construction industry should join hands to protect the well-being of workers and implement the measures on the Guidance Notes as soon as possible.” He concluded.