The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Bills tender results: Tender date : May 21, 2018 Paper on offer :… read more
As the Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate precautions to prevent heat stroke.
Heat stroke could occur if an employee works in a hot or humid environment for prolonged periods of time, as the body may fail to regulate its temperature by effective heat dissipation through sweating.
The early symptoms of heat stroke include feeling thirsty, fatigue, nausea and headache. Later, the victim may experience shortness of breath, rapid and weak pulse, dizziness, confusion or even loss of consciousness and convulsion.
For example, construction workers, cleaning workers, kitchen workers and porters are more prone to heat stroke when working for long hours in such an environment, especially if appropriate preventive measures have not been taken.
The LD reminds employers to arrange for a suitable assessment of the risk of heat stress in the work environment and take appropriate preventive measures. The LD has produced two leaflets entitled “Checklist for Heat Stress Assessment at Construction Sites” and “Checklist for Heat Stress Assessment at Outdoor Cleansing Workplaces” respectively. Employers engaged in construction or outdoor cleaning work are advised to refer to these checklists in assessing the risk of heat stress at their workplaces. As for heat stress assessment at a workplace in general, employers can refer to a booklet entitled “Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” produced by the LD.
The LD also reminds employers and employees to take the following precautions to prevent heat stroke:
Employers
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(1) Take heed of the weather report and adopt shift work arrangements for employees to reduce their exposure to the hot environment, or arrange appropriate rest breaks for them during very hot periods;
(2) Avoid working under direct sunlight and set up temporary sunshade wherever possible;
(3) Provide cool potable water for employees at all times during work. If necessary, provide drinks containing minerals for employees to replenish loss of electrolytes during profuse sweating;
(4) Minimise physical demands by using tools or mechanical aids at work;
(5) Increase air flow by enhancing ventilation or air-conditioning as appropriate;
(6) Isolate heat-generating facilities at the workplace and use insulating materials to minimise heat dissipation to the other work areas; and
(7) Provide relevant information and training for employees on heat stroke such as preventive measures and first aid treatment.
Employees
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(1) Wear clothing made of suitable materials (for example, cotton) that is loose-fitting and light-coloured to help heat dissipation, minimise heat absorption and allow sweat evaporation;
(2) Wear a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors;
(3) Drink plenty of water or other appropriate beverages to replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating; and
(4) Whenever there are any symptoms of heat stroke, inform supervisors and take appropriate actions immediately.
Some employees may have difficulty in adapting to a hot working environment owing to their own health conditions. Employers should take this into account and consider the recommendations of their doctors when assigning work to these employees.
In addition to the publications on risk assessment, the LD has produced a leaflet entitled “Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment” for the public. The publications can be obtained free of charge from the offices of the Occupational Health Service of the LD, or downloaded from the department’s webpage at www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_9.htm.
The LD organises occupational health talks in public places and at its own training venues regularly to raise employers’ and employees’ awareness of occupational health. Details of health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in May and June are as follows:
(A)
Dates: May 25 and June 4, 19 and 26 (am)
June 7 and 22 (pm)
Time: Half-day
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department, 13/F, Kolour·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
(B)
Date: May 23
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm
Venue: Activity Room I, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
(Opposite Victoria Park, MTR Tin Hau Station Exit B)
(C)
Dates: May 29 and June 8
Time: Half-day, morning
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the Labour Department, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong
(MTR Kwun Tong Station Exit A1)
(D)
Date: June 13
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road,
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit E)
For enrolment or enquiries about these occupational health talks, please call 2852 4040 or 2361 8240 (for talks organised at the Occupational Safety and Health Centre). Moreover, the LD also provides an outreach health education service and occupational health nurses will, on invitation, disseminate occupational health information at workplaces at a convenient time. Please contact the nursing officer at 2852 4062 for details. All these health talks are free of charge. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2018 – HK presented by China Life (Overseas) which will be held from May 29 to 31.
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Karl Kwok, said today (May 21) that this event, like all “M” Mark events, will add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and help attract more visitors.
“‘M’ Mark events showcase Hong Kong’s capability to host world-class events and reinforce its position as the events capital of Asia,” Mr Kwok said.
“‘M’ Mark events also help generate economic benefits for Hong Kong by attracting tourists. They also instil a sustainable sporting culture in the community, and help foster a sense of pride and social cohesion,” he added.
The “M” Mark System was launched in 2004 to help local national sports associations organise more major sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some of the event organisers.
The number of recognised “M” Mark events increased from four in 2005 to 13 in 2017. So far, around $117.3 million has been approved to support recognised “M” Mark events.
For details of other “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk. The “M” Mark applications for smartphone users are available for downloading from iTunes as well as Google Play. read more
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Forum on Education for the Visually Impaired with Multi-Disabilities organised by Ebenezer New Hope School today (May 21):
Allow me to say a few words in English as some non-local speakers are amongst the audience. Today’s education forum offers a timely opportunity for our education experts to explore how we can better support students with visual impairment to overcome their disability, unleash their potential in full and contribute to the society. My heartfelt congratulation also goes to the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired on its 120th anniversary.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to enhancing the quality of education, especially for visually impaired students. In the 2018-19 financial year, the estimated recurrent expenditure on special education amounts to $2.7 billion. The Education Bureau has also increased provision for nursing support and other specialist staff to schools for children with visual impairment. We have also improved teacher-to-class ratio and manpower provision of school social workers for schools. An extra grant is also provided to strengthen IT staff support to promote e-learning.
In recent years, Ebenezer has extended its service to the Mainland. It has formed sister schools with education institutions in Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and has also provided in-service training for pre-school teachers on the Mainland. I encourage Ebenezer to develop partnership and closer collaboration with our Mainland counterparts, so as to continue to benefit more visually impaired students in the regions.
On this encouraging and grateful note, I would like to thank Ebenezer again for its sterling contribution, unstinting co-operation and caring dedication over the past 120 years in nurturing generations of visually impaired talents for the continuous development of Hong Kong, and wish all participants a rewarding forum today. Thank you.
A girl who went missing in Sau Mau Ping was located. Hui Siu-yau, aged 13, went missing after she left her residence in Shun Lee Estate on April 16 morning. Her family made a report to Poli… read more