Since the beginning of July (July 1—29), large-scale high temperature weather has occurred in regions such as Jiangnan, Jianghuai, Jianghan, and Chongqing in China, with long duration, wide coverage, high intensity, and severe impact. In some areas, the duration and intensity of high temperatures have broken historical records. On July 30, the China Meteorological Administration announced the activation of a Level II emergency response for major meteorological disasters (high temperatures). This is the first time the meteorological department has activated a high temperature emergency response since the formulation of the meteorological disaster emergency plan, and Level II is the highest level of high temperature emergency response.

High temperature weather may continue to develop

Meteorological department activates high temperature emergency response for the first time

On July 30, Zheng Guoguang, Director of the China Meteorological Administration, signed an order to activate a Level II emergency response for major meteorological disasters (high temperatures). This is the first time the meteorological department has activated a high temperature emergency response since the formulation of the meteorological disaster emergency plan, and Level II is the highest level of high temperature emergency response.

In the passing July, high temperatures persisted in Jianghuai, Jiangnan, Chongqing and other places, with unbearable heat. According to the forecast of the National Meteorological Center, the high temperature weather that has lasted for nearly a month in the south may continue to develop in the future. From early to mid-August, high temperatures will continue in southeastern Henan, Hubei, Anhui, southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Chongqing, eastern Guizhou, central and northern Fujian, and other places, and the intensity of high temperatures in some areas may exceed the previous period.

At 18:00 on the 30th, the National Meteorological Center issued the highest-level high temperature orange alert for the fifth consecutive day. According to the meteorological disaster emergency plan of the China Meteorological Administration, when the National Meteorological Center issues a high temperature orange alert for two consecutive days and it is expected that most areas in the warning zone will continue to meet the yellow alert or above standard for the next three days, a Level II emergency response can be activated.

In accordance with the requirements of the Level II emergency response for major meteorological disasters (high temperatures), all departments of the China Meteorological Administration have entered the Level II emergency response state, and relevant provincial (municipal) meteorological bureaus have entered the corresponding emergency response level based on actual assessments. All units will strictly follow their responsibilities, promptly announce the actual high temperature conditions, accurately issue high temperature warnings, and remind the public to take precautions.

Outdoor work should be stopped when the daily maximum temperature reaches 40°C or above

High temperature weather refers to weather with a daily maximum temperature of 35°C or above issued to the public by meteorological stations affiliated with meteorological authorities at or above the prefecture level. Employers shall adjust working hours based on the forecast temperature issued by the meteorological station affiliated with the meteorological authority at or above the prefecture level on the same day, except for emergency handling required for personal and property safety and public interests.

An official from the Occupational Health Department of the State Administration of Work Safety introduced that the new measures have clearer temperature limits for work under high temperature weather.

The new measures stipulate that when the daily maximum temperature reaches 40°C or above, outdoor work shall be stopped for the day; when the daily maximum temperature reaches 37°C or above but below 40°C, the employer shall arrange for workers to work outdoors for no more than 6 hours cumulatively throughout the day, continuous working hours shall not exceed national regulations, and outdoor work shall not be arranged during the hottest 3 hours; when the daily maximum temperature reaches 35°C or above but below 37°C, the employer shall take measures such as shift rotation and rest to shorten the continuous working hours of workers, and shall not arrange overtime for outdoor workers.

Regarding the upper and lower temperature limits, the measures clarify that "above" degrees Celsius (°C) includes the number itself, and "below" does not include the number itself. That is, when the maximum temperature reaches 40°C, outdoor work shall be stopped.

In addition, the measures stipulate that before the arrival of high temperature weather, employers shall conduct health examinations for workers working in high temperatures. Employers shall not arrange pregnant female employees and minor workers to engage in outdoor work during high temperature weather above 35°C or work in workplaces with temperatures above 33°C.