Storm Signal No. 8: What To Do?

My Wednesday morning was greeted with the announcement of storm signal Number 8 by the Hong Kong Observatory. This means I could be stuck at home the whole day. The No 8 storm signal was issued at 10.45pm, six hours after the No 3 was issued.

The morning ATV show flashed announcements that KMB bus, HK Tramways operations and school classes are suspended.

The MTR is expected to deploy trains in every 10 minutes, quite infrequent by Hong Kong standards because we are used to getting aboard the train in two minutes or less on peak hours. This time, I will expect crowding in the MTR stations. But since KMB is not operational, tram is not in service and maybe Citybus will make a follow up announcement, there are not a lot of options to take. Airport Express runs as frequent as normal. But if you are bound to fly on a stormy day, better check with the airlines even before you decide to get to the airport. Reaching Chek Lap Kok in a stormy day is one story, and your plane taking off is another.

No question about ferry operations. My colleagues who reside on the other island can relax at home.

What to do in a Storm Signal No 8 Warning?

According to Hong Kong Observatory:

Gale or storm force wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained wind speed of 63-117 km/h from the quarter indicated and gusts which may exceed 180 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist.

Action - Complete all precautions now before gales commence. Lock all windows and doors. Fit bars into positions and insert reinforced shutters and gates if available. Adhesive tape fixed to large window panes in exposed positions will reduce damage by broken glass.

Do not stand near windows on the exposed side of your home. Move all furniture and valuables away from these areas. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter, should windows be broken. Now is the time to decide which rooms you will use to shelter if the windows on the exposed side of your home become broken.

Owners of neon signs should arrange for the electricity supply to their signs to be switched off.

Park your car where it is least likely to be damaged.

Avoid staying in the street. Return home as soon as possible if conditions so permit.

According to a handbook by the Labour Department:

What Employers Must Do?

Take prime consideration of employees' safety in the workplace and during the
journey to and from work.

Observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Occupational Safety
and Health Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the
Employment Ordinance.

Consult and involve employees in working out prior work arrangements and
contingency measures.

Make realistic and critical assessment of the essential staff requirements and require
only the absolutely essential staff to report for duty when Typhoon Warning Signal
No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force.

State clearly the time of issuance and cancellation of the Typhoon Warning Signal
or Rainstorm Warnings at which employees are not required to report for duty
or have to resume work.

Provide employees with adequate facilities and equipment such as safety helmets
and raincoats to ensure their safety at work.

If at all possible, provide transport services for employees who are required to
report for duty when Typhoon Warning Signal No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm
Warning is in force. Otherwise, a special travelling allowance may be an option.

Be flexible in handling cases of employees failing to report for duty or resume
work due to genuine difficulties.

Do not deduct wages of employees who are absent from or late for work due to
adverse weather conditions or other uncontrollable factors.

Set down clear guidelines on payment of wages and allowances under different
situations, and consider giving typhoon or rainstorm allowances to employees who
have worked in times of typhoons and rainstorms as an encouragement to them.

Release employees from work in stages as soon as practicable after the Pre-No.
8 Special Announcement is issued as weather conditions will deteriorate

What Employees Must Do?

Provided that public transport services are available, you are usually required to
work when Typhoon Warning Signal No. 3 or below is issued or when Amber
or Red Rainstorm Warning is in force.

If you are required to be on duty under prior work arrangements, report for duty
on time as far as possible. In case of genuine difficulties, notify your supervisors
as soon as practicable.

Unless there are prior work arrangements to the contrary, you are normally
expected to resume work after Typhoon Warning Signal No. 8 or Black Rainstorm
Warning has been cancelled.

Co-operate with your employer and follow the safety rules and work procedures.

In Times of Typhoons

Provided that public transport services are available, employees are usually
required to work when Typhoon Warning Signal No. 3 or below is issued.
When Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement, Typhoon Warning Signal No. 8
or above is issued, for safety reasons, employers should not require their
employees to report for work unless prior agreement to the contrary has been
made.

When Typhoon Warning Signal No. 9 or No. 10 is in force, to ensure safety,
employers should not require their employees to report for duty unless their services
are absolutely essential.

In times like these, the vibrant city will look like a ghost town and it becomes an unusual sight of empty streets and quiet atmosphere.

Tropical storm Fengshen was forecast to pass through Hong Kong's northeast but for some reason, it changed path and will be in close contact with the territory as much as it change direction in the Philippines that sealed the fate of Princess of the Stars.

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