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Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 26) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
​As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (June 26) praised Hong Kong athletes for their remarkable achievements and winning glory for Hong Kong in the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 (Special Olympics) in Berlin, Germany. He also extended his heartfelt congratulations to all medallists in the Games. The Hong Kong delegation has completed all the competitions and won a total of 75 medals, comprising 39 gold medals, 25 silver medals and 11 bronze medals.
Mr Yeung said, "Our athletes showed their strengths in various competitions and achieved outstanding results. They have won the well-deserved medals with skills and perseverance. Their great performance showcased that Hong Kong is brave enough to make progress and emerging stronger. It is very encouraging and I am proud of them. I sincerely congratulate all the athletes and wish them to continue to shine brightly in the future."
This year, the Special Olympics was held from June 17 to 25 in Berlin. Special Olympics Hong Kong has sent 81 athletes who competed in 13 sports events, namely athletics, basketball, bocce, badminton, bowling, football 7-a-side, futsal, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, tennis and table tennis.
The Special Olympics is the world's largest sporting event for persons with intellectual disability. The competitions are structured through divisioning, so that athletes compete with the others of similar ability in equitable divisions.
Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 26) will be cancelled.
If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by then, the flag-raising ceremony may be resumed without further notice.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, will depart for Zhongshan on June 26 (Monday). He will attend the 21st Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Cooperation Meeting and meet with relevant ministries and authorities.
Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong in the evening on June 27 (Tuesday).