The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about the work accident that happened in a logistic centre in Kwai Chung, New Territories this afternoon (June 22), in which a male worker, while transporting a wooden box of goods with the use of a plywood cart, was pressed by the wooden box as it toppled.  The worker was seriously injured and was certified dead in hospital.  The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and has expressed its deepest sympathy to the victim's family.
 
      The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued a suspension notice to the employer involved suspending the transportation of wooden box. The employer cannot resume the work process until LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risk have been taken."
 
      The spokesman added, "We will complete investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
 
      The general duty provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, safe plant and safe systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the above provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
      In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.
 
      The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
 
      For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

     Police today (June 22) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Yau Ma Tei. 

     Li Hui-jing, aged 30, went missing after she was last seen at her residence on Austin Road West yesterday morning (June 21). Her boyfriend made a report to Police on the same day. 

     She is about 1.7 metres tall, 72 kilograms in weight and of normal build. She has a long face with yellow complexion and long straight brown hair. She was last seen wearing a light-colored short-sleeved T-shirt and black shorts.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
     

  

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that occurred in the Container Terminals in Kwai Chung this afternoon (June 22), in which a man died.
 
     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause. 
 

     The Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), Dr Ben Cheung, today (June 22) officiated at the opening ceremony of the large-scale anti-drug event Fight Drugs Together 2019, launching this year's territory-wide anti-drug programme.

     In support of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, the Narcotics Division (ND) and the ACAN in co-ordination with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) jointly held the event at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok today to promote concerted community efforts against drugs.

     More than 1 000 guests and young people attended the event, including students, members and partners of Junior Police Call, uniformed groups, non-governmental organisations from the anti-drug sector, district bodies, Senior Police Call, social services groups and the education sector. They all pledged to stand firm against drugs and convey anti-drug messages to their friends.

     Speaking at the event, Dr Cheung said that according to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse's figures, the total number of reported drug abusers recorded a continuous decrease of over 50 per cent, from the peak of around 14 200 in 2008 to about 6 600 in 2018, and the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 registered a more notable decline of over 80 per cent, from around 3 500 to about 470. However, the number of reported cannabis abusers showed an increasing trend in the past two years, especially among youths. He reminded young people to refrain from following the influence of peers and incorrect information, and not to try cannabis in the mistaken belief that it could be harmless. He pointed out that cannabis is an addictive drug and can cause irreversible damage to abusers' cognitive functions and health.

     To encourage young people to participate in healthy activities, various student and youth groups performed in the event to showcase their spirit and talents. Their performances included marching, combinations of kung fu and other types of martial arts, freestyle basketball and a street workout. Artiste Kara Wai; badminton player Angus Ng; singers Mag Lam, Kenny Chan and Alfred Hui; singing group Sugar Club; and basketball freestyler Eddie Lui also attended the event to call on young people to develop positive lifestyles and hobbies, and stay away from drugs.

     Before the event ended, Dr Cheung and other guests led all participants to chant an anti-drug slogan to show their determination to fight drugs.

     Today's event marked the official launch of a new round of the territory-wide anti-drug programme. A series of anti-drug activities arranged in collaboration with RTHK, other media organisations and anti-drug bodies will commence in the summer holidays. Anti-drug advertisements will be placed on public transportation networks, in entertainment venues and on popular websites, mobile applications and social media platforms. In addition, the ND will collaborate with popular YouTubers again to introduce a short video on social media platforms, in a bid to disseminate information about the harms of cannabis abuse through a story that can appeal to young people.

     Other officiating guests at today's event included the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Chan Wing-kin; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Professor Cheung Yuet-wah; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Leung Ka-wing; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan.

              

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 22) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.