What Changed
- Government confirmed no statutory mechanism exists for reporting 'near-miss' workplace safety incidents at HKIA.
- Government stated no separate aviation industry care fund will be established outside the Employees' Compensation Ordinance framework.
- Clarified that the 120-day maximum paid sick leave under the Employment Ordinance is a statutory minimum, which employers may exceed for grounded pilots.
Background
On October 28, 2026, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Ms Mable Chan, delivered a written response to Legislative Council Question 22 (LCQ22) asked by the Hon Tang Ka-piu. The inquiry focused on occupational safety and health (OSH) protections for employees working at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Given HKIA's round-the-clock operational environment, intensive manual labour, and exposure to extreme weather, the legislative exchange addressed injury reporting mechanisms, heat stroke prevention guidelines, financial support arrangements, and statutory sick leave provisions for civil aviation pilots.
Statutory Framework and Incident Reporting Procedures
Occupational safety and workplace injury reporting in Hong Kong SAR are governed primarily by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO), the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, and the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.
Regarding statistical tracking, the Labour Department (LD) maintains records of occupational injuries and industrial accidents for the broader industry category of service activities incidental to air transportation. However, the LD does not maintain safety or accident statistics specific to individual locations such as HKIA, nor does it maintain localized figures for occupational diseases.
For workplace safety incident reporting, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and commercial operators at HKIA submit reports to relevant government departments in accordance with existing statutory requirements. The Government confirmed that there is currently no legal or regulatory mechanism requiring or tracking the reporting of "near-miss" incidents at the airport.
Heat Stress Prevention and Working Conditions on the Apron
To mitigate heat stroke risks for frontline ground staff working on aprons and in baggage handling areas during hot weather, safety procedures follow the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work published by the Labour Department in 2023.
AAHK has shared these guidelines across the airport community and requires airport franchises—particularly those operating on the apron and in baggage handling halls—to conduct heat stress risk assessments and establish appropriate control measures and rest break arrangements. AAHK performs ongoing risk assessments and regularly reviews heat prevention measures with airport operators.
Practical measures implemented by AAHK to protect outdoor airport workers include:
1. Deploying mobile water trucks to remote apron areas.
2. Establishing dedicated rest areas in operational zones, including the apron and baggage handling hall.
3. Deploying the Safety eBus, introduced in 2022, to communicate safety messages directly to staff across work zones.
4. Partnering with trade unions, the LD, and the Occupational Safety and Health Council to conduct quarterly promotional campaigns and distribute refreshments and souvenirs during hot weather.
Financial Compensation and Assistance Frameworks
Hong Kong's statutory compensation system operates under a no-fault principle established by the ECO. Employers are legally liable to pay compensation to injured workers, or to family members of deceased workers, for incapacities or fatalities caused by accidents arising out of and in the course of employment, or from prescribed occupational diseases.
If injured workers or surviving family members encounter financial hardship, the LD refers them to the Social Welfare Department or relevant organisations for support from existing public funds. The HKSAR Government confirmed it has no present plans to create a dedicated aviation industry care fund outside the statutory employees' compensation framework. Separately, AAHK provides ex gratia payments directly to the families of airport staff who pass away while working to offer immediate financial relief.
Pilot Health Qualifications and Statutory Sick Leave Entitlements
The legislative inquiry raised concerns regarding civil aviation pilots who undergo major procedures such as heart surgery. International aviation standards typically require pilots to be temporarily grounded for at least six months following heart surgery. Pilots may only resume flying duties after undergoing medical evaluations and securing special approval from civil aviation authorities.
Under the Employment Ordinance (EO), an employee under a continuous contract accrues paid sickness days up to a maximum limit of 120 days (approximately four months). The HKSAR Government clarified that the EO establishes the statutory minimum entitlement. Employers remain free to offer contractual sick leave terms that are more favourable than the statutory minimum. The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) continuously monitors international benchmarks—including regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and major civil aviation authorities—to keep health requirements for pilots under review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does the Airport Authority Hong Kong track or maintain a reporting framework for "near-miss" safety incidents at HKIA?
A1: No. AAHK and companies operating at HKIA report workplace incidents to relevant government departments under existing statutory requirements, but there is no mechanism established for reporting "near-miss" incidents.
Q2: What specific measures are implemented to protect airport ground staff from heat stroke?
A2: AAHK requires franchises, especially those on the apron and in baggage handling halls, to perform heat stress risk assessments in line with the Labour Department's 2023 Guidelines. Practical measures include deploying mobile water trucks to remote aprons, providing dedicated rest areas, operating the Safety eBus (introduced in 2022) to spread safety information, and conducting quarterly union-partnered awareness events.
Q3: Is the HKSAR Government creating an aviation-specific care fund for injured workers or families of deceased staff?
A3: No. The Government has no plans to set up a separate assistance fund outside the statutory employees' compensation system under the ECO. However, LD refers families in financial need to the Social Welfare Department or other support funds, and AAHK independently provides ex gratia payments to families of airport staff who die while working.
Q4: How does statutory sick leave under the Employment Ordinance align with international grounding periods for pilots after heart surgery?
A4: Under the Employment Ordinance, the maximum accrued paid sickness entitlement is 120 days, which serves as a statutory minimum standard. Employers may voluntarily offer more generous sick leave policies. The Civil Aviation Department continually reviews pilot health standards against international benchmarks, such as ICAO regulations and rules from major countries.
Who May Be Affected
Airport ground staff, apron workers, airport franchises, airlines, civil aviation pilots, and trade unions operating at Hong Kong International Airport.
Cross-Border Context
Civil aviation health standards for pilots reference international guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and major international aviation authorities.
What to check next
- Labour Department Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work (2023)
- Civil Aviation Department medical assessment regulations for pilot health certifications
- Employees' Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282) and Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) provisions
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.