The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "Strategies for the prevention of occupational diseases" on January 6, 2020 (Monday) at 3pm. The talk will introduce some common hazards causing occupational diseases and a hierarchy of control measures to enhance employees' and employers' awareness of strategies for the prevention of occupational diseases. It will be held in the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
      
     The LD will hold another public talk entitled "Chemical and occupational health" on January 9, 2020 (Thursday) at 3pm. The talk will discuss how chemicals enter the human body and their impact on health, as well as the prevention of and control methods for chemical hazards. It will be held in Activity Room 1, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.
      
     Both talks will be given by the LD's occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free. For enquiries or registration, please call 2852 4040.

     The Government announced today (December 30) the appointment of two new members and re-appointment of the incumbent Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and 13 members to the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee (DWSAC) for a two-year term from January 1, 2020.

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said, "The Government attaches great importance to drinking water safety. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for members' support and contribution in the past two years, so that the Government could take forward various tasks relating to drinking water safety. I look forward to continue working with the DWSAC in formulating comprehensive and practicable policies and measures to further safeguard the quality of drinking water in Hong Kong."
      
     The DWSAC was set up on January 1, 2018, to advise the Development Bureau on the development of a regulatory regime for drinking water safety in Hong Kong, a review of Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards, as well as policies and operational strategies and measures relating to drinking water quality.  In addition, the DWSAC reviews global concerns about water safety, as well as the directions for new research in light of international practice, trends and development.
      
     Membership of the DWSAC from January 1, 2020, is as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Mr Edmund Leung Kwong-ho
 
Vice Chairman
—————-
Dr Chan Hon-fai
 
Non-official members
————————
Dr May Chui Ting-fong
Dr David Anthony Cunliffe
Professor Ho Kin-chung
Mr Vincent Ho Kui-yip
Professor Susanna Lau Kar-pui
Professor Irene Lo Man-chi
Dr Anthony Ma Yiu-wa
Ms Michelle Tang Ming-sum
Professor Shelly Tse Lap-ah
Dr Raymond Wong Siu-ming
Dr Vivian Wong Taam Chi-woon
Mr Peter Wong Yiu-sun
 
Ex-officio members
———————-
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Water Supplies or representative

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 30) reminded members of the public that the Government will enhance the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme with effect from January 1, 2020.
 
     "To further alleviate commuters' burden of transport expenses, the Government will enhance the Scheme by increasing the subsidy rate from one-fourth to one-third of the monthly public transport expenses in excess of $400, as well as raising the subsidy cap from $300 to $400 per month per Octopus. Commuters can collect the enhanced subsidy from February 16, 2020, onwards. Other aspects of the Scheme, including eligibility for the subsidy, the public transport services and fares covered, and the subsidy collection arrangements, remain unchanged," the TD spokesman said.
 
     Commuters can continue to check their record of public transport expenses and subsidy amount through the website of the Scheme (www.ptfss.gov.hk), the Octopus App or the Scheme hotline (2969 5500). For enquires about the details of the Scheme, please browse through the website of the Scheme or call 1823.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 30) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.