FEHD: Reasonable rest time for workers will not be restricted; any contractor violations will be followed up seriously

The weather in Hong Kong has been persistently hot recently, raising concerns about rest arrangements and heatstroke prevention measures for outdoor cleaning workers. In an interview with this station, Assistant Director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) Poon Ping-yeung stated that the department and cleaning service contractors have been strictly complying with the Labour Department's 'Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work' and will not impose specific restrictions on reasonable rest periods for workers. The department will conduct risk inspections, and if contractors are found to be in violation, serious follow-up actions and penalties will be taken.

Regarding reports that rest times for pest control staff vary, Poon Ping-yeung explained that mosquito control personnel cannot wear waist-mounted fans due to the full protective gear they must wear, and are therefore granted a 15-minute rest under the Amber Heat Stress at Work Warning. Other frontline staff already equipped with fans will have their rest periods arranged according to actual circumstances.

As for the working environment of frontline workers in rural areas, Poon Ping-yeung pointed out that the department has ensured all frontline staff have access to sufficient drinking water, short-term rest spaces, clean water, and toilet facilities. Additionally, 190 'solar-powered cooling stations' equipped with air conditioners, fans, and exhaust fans have been installed, and solar-powered cooling equipment has been added to 29 rest locations and village-style refuse collection points. The department is reviewing the possibility of adding more in rural locations, but issues such as land, transportation, and consulting with villagers must be resolved.

Poon Ping-yeung also mentioned that the uniforms for frontline workers are made of moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, and UV-resistant materials. He suggested that if workers choose to wear an 'undershirt', they should select lightweight, quick-drying materials. The department also requires contractors to provide equipment such as sun hats and cooling sleeves, which must be replaced immediately if damaged.