Leong Pou U calls for limits on outdoor work during extreme heat

[Photo: Lynzy Valles]

Lawmaker Leong Pou U has urged the government to strengthen occupational safety protections for outdoor workers as extreme weather becomes more frequent, including clearer rules on working hours and rest periods during periods of extreme heat.

In a written interpellation, Leong said workers in construction, takeout delivery, gardening and other outdoor jobs face significant safety risks from extreme weather, but the city’s existing guidelines provide insufficient guidance on how work should be organized during periods of extreme heat.

He noted that authorities have promoted measures including heat-resistant clothing, sun-protective safety helmets, portable waist fans and air-conditioned vests to help frontline workers prevent heatstroke. However, he said more detailed rules are needed to regulate outdoor work under extreme weather conditions.

Leong pointed to measures adopted in mainland China, where outdoor work is suspended when the daily maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celcius or higher. When temperatures exceed 37 degrees but remain below 40 degrees, outdoor work is limited to six hours, with work prohibited during the three hottest hours of the day. At temperatures above 35 degrees but below 37 degrees, employers are required to use rotating shifts and rest periods to reduce workers’ continuous exposure.

He also cited Hong Kong’s three-level heat warning system, which uses yellow, red and black alerts to prompt employers and workers to take measures to prevent heatstroke.

Leong asked whether Macau would introduce similar detailed guidelines based on actual temperatures or heat-index readings to determine how long workers can remain outdoors.

“Will the authorities define detailed guidelines for work under extreme weather conditions, such as extreme heat, and scientifically establish the duration of outdoor work based on actual temperature or perceived temperature?” he asked.

Leong also raised concerns about compensation for workers who suffer heatstroke because of their jobs. He noted that mainland China recognizes heatstroke as an occupational disease, allowing affected workers with medical documentation to receive work-injury insurance benefits.

He asked whether Macau would strengthen occupational safety protections for outdoor workers working in high temperatures and consider similar measures.

Leong further pointed to Law No. 40/95/M, which governs compensation for occupational accidents and diseases and has been in force for about 31 years. He said its provisions on occupational diseases may no longer reflect the city’s changing industrial structure.

He also asked what concrete measures the government plans to take to update regulations on occupational diseases and strengthen protection and compensation mechanisms for affected workers.