Heart-related illnesses top cause of workplace deaths in Hong Kong over past decade

A total of 1,439 employees have died at work from non-accidental causes over the past decade, averaging about 143 fatalities a year, according to figures released by the Labour Department (LD).

In 2024 alone, 102 of these deaths were attributed to cardiovascular disease, representing 68.5 percent of all non-accidental workplace fatalities. Another 30 cases, or 20.1 percent, were linked to cerebrovascular disease.

The “professional and business services” sector recorded the highest number of non-accidental deaths last year, with 33 cases (22.1 percent), followed closely by the construction industry with 31 deaths (20.8 percent).

The department said it has completed processing more than 97 percent of all cases, with the average compensation amount reaching nearly HK$890,000. Only 42 cases remain under active follow-up.

Of the concluded cases, five resulted in direct compensation, while 1,374 were resolved through settlements between families and employers, or the families chose not to pursue further claims.

Among the 18 cases that went to court, 17 have already been settled, accoridng to the department.

In light of the high proportion of heart- and cerebrovascular-related deaths, the LD and the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) have jointly launched the Heart Caring Campaign, which encourages workers — particularly those in the property management and construction sectors — to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The initiative has drawn strong participation, with more than 340,000 employees signing the Heart Caring Charter as of September, including nearly 100,000 from the construction industry and 240,000 from property management.

Addressing concerns over the absence of a formal definition for “overexertion at work,” the department clarified that the term is not recognised as a medical diagnosis and is not defined by International Labour Organization standards.

The LD stressed that Hong Kong’s Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (ECO) already provides legal coverage for work-related injuries and fatalities, allowing affected families to seek compensation through established mechanisms.