Following is a question by the Hon Tang Ka-piu and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 28):

Question:

     There are views suggesting that given the characteristics of the work environment at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), including round-the-clock operations, intensive manual labour and multiple work activities, importance should be attached to employees' occupational safety and health (OSH). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective numbers of cases involving injuries, fatalities and occupational diseases as defined by (i) the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, (ii) the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and (iii) the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance that occurred within HKIA's construction works areas and daily operation areas in each of the past five years (with the relevant figures set out in a table); whether it knows if the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has formulated higher standards for reporting OSH incidents in addition to the statutory requirements, such as including "near-miss cases", etc; if so, of the numbers of such cases reported in each of the past five years;

(2) as the frequent occurrence of extremely hot weather in Hong Kong in recent years has exposed frontline ground staff on HKIA's aprons to the risk of heat stroke due to their prolonged work under high temperatures, and the Labour Department has further enhanced the Heat Stress at Work Warning system in recent months, whether AAHK has refined HKIA's heat stroke prevention mechanism and rest guidelines based on combined consideration of the job types of HKIA's employees and the characteristics of their work environment and required its contractors to implement such guidelines, so as to safeguard employees' safety at work; of the follow-up measures put in place by AAHK if its contractors fail to implement the relevant guidelines;

(3) whether it will consider setting up an aviation industry care fund to support industry workers or their family members who face financial hardship as a result of industrial accidents involving injuries or fatalities;

(4) whether AAHK will consider co-operating with trade unions in setting up fixed service points within HKIA for the regular dissemination of OSH information to HKIA's employees, and introducing heart-warming measures such as providing employees with appropriate rest areas and rest breaks; and

(5) as it is learnt that civil aviation pilots who have undergone heart surgery are usually temporarily grounded for at least six months and may only be considered fit for resuming flying duties after passing a stringent medical assessment and obtaining special approval from civil aviation authorities, but the maximum number of paid sickness days that may be accumulated under the existing Employment Ordinance is only 120 days (i.e. around four months), which falls short of the usual post-surgery grounding period of at least six months in the aforesaid cases, whether it will conduct a comprehensive review to ascertain if there is incompatibility between international conventions for the aviation industry and the relevant local legislation, so as to strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of aviation practitioners and enhance the OSH standards of the industry?

Reply:

President,

     The Government and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) are dedicated to safeguarding the safety and health of aviation practitioners by implementing strict safety standards and actively promoting a culture of workplace safety to enhance safety awareness among airport staff.

     Having consulted the Labour Department (LD) and AAHK, my reply to the question raised by member is as follows:

(1) According to LD's records, the breakdowns of occupational injuries and industrial accidents, as defined under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (i.e. cases reported under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO)) and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, in the industry of service activities incidental to air transportation by type of accident from 2021 to 2025 are set out in Annex 1 and Annex 2 respectively. LD does not maintain statistics on occupational injuries and accidents occurring at workplaces in a particular location nor does it maintain the corresponding figures on occupational disease.
 
     The AAHK and companies operating at the airport report to relevant departments under existing legislations and regulations. There is no mechanism for reporting "near-miss" incidents.
 
(2) Since LD issued the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work (Guidelines) in 2023, the AAHK has been sharing the relevant requirements with the airport community to help them understand and implement the measures outlined therein. The AAHK has required franchises, especially those operating on the apron and in the baggage handling hall, to assess heat stress risks at their workplaces in accordance with LD's Guidelines and implement appropriate control measures and rest arrangements. The AAHK also regularly reviews the various heat stroke prevention measures with franchises and conducts risk assessments and reviews preventive measures with various companies at the airport on an ongoing basis.

     With regard to the arrangements for airport staff working in hot weather, the AAHK has implemented a series of heat stroke prevention measures, including deploying mobile water trucks to remote apron areas, providing suitable rest areas for staff, and working closely with labour unions to strengthen heat stroke prevention.

(3) The current employees' compensation system is premised on a no-fault principle. Employers are liable to pay compensation on the basis of the ECO.

     Under the ECO, employers are liable to pay compensation to their injured employees (and to the family members of their deceased ones) for incapacities or fatalities resulting from accidents arising out of and in the course of employment or from prescribed occupational diseases. If injured employees/the family members of deceased employees encounter financial difficulties, LD will, taking account of their needs and wishes, refer them to the Social Welfare Department or related organisations for assistance and/or support from relevant funds. The Government has no plan at present to set up separate assistance fund or programme for compensation for employees' work injuries outside the employees' compensation system.

     In addition to the employees' compensation system, the AAHK currently provides ex gratia payment to the family members of airport staff who pass away while working, so as to provide their families with immediate assistance.

(4) The AAHK has maintained regular communication and co-operation with labour unions on occupational safety and health matters, and organises quarterly promotional activities to enhance safety awareness among airport staff. Besides, the AAHK collaborates with labour unions, the LD and the Occupational Safety and Health Council on promotional initiatives, for example distributing refreshments and souvenirs to airport staff during the recent hot weather.

     To reach more airport staff working outdoors, the AAHK introduced the Safety eBus in 2022 to promote airport safety messages, and has provided rest areas in various work zones, including the apron and baggage handling hall, to support the needs of airport staff. The AAHK will continue to collaborate with relevant parties to raise awareness of occupational safety and health.

(5) The Employment Ordinance (EO) stipulates that an employee under a continuous contract is entitled to paid sickness days accrued at the rate prescribed in EO, up to a maximum of 120 days. The EO provides the statutory minimum standard for employees' sick leave entitlements. Employers may, having regard to the characteristics of their industries and company policies, etc, provide employees with sick leave arrangements that are more favourable than those stipulated by law.

     The Civil Aviation Department will continue to closely monitor the latest developments in international standards, such as making reference to the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the rules formulated by major countries, and will keep the requirements related to the health of pilots in Hong Kong under review.

Ends/Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:50

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