The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health training courses in the second half of 2023. The courses aim to enhance the working population's awareness of occupational safety and health, as well as their understanding of the legal requirements and standards stipulated in occupational safety regulations.

     The training courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
 

1. Major Safety and Health Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention
2. Safety Management Regulation cum Safety Inspection Programme and Accident/Incident Investigation
3. Confined Spaces Regulation and other Safety Regulations related to Risk Assessment
4. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention in Office Work (including Storage Work)
5. Industrial Accident Cases Analysis and Related Safety Regulations cum Major Safety and Health Regulations related to Employees' Duties (with two classes conducted in English)
6. Safety Regulations on Working in times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
7. A Brief Introduction to Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice related to Working on Construction Sites (including Renovation, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works) 
8. Safety Regulations on Working at Height (including Truss-out Bamboo Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms) cum Codes of Practice on Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms (new course)
9. Safety Regulations related to Tower Cranes, other Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear cum Codes of Practice for Safe Use of Tower and Mobile Cranes (new course)
10. Loadshifting Machinery Regulation cum Safe Use of Power-operated Elevating Work Platform and Common Heavy Machinery
11. Major Safety Regulations related to Working in the Catering Trade
12. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulation
13. Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
14. Dangerous Substances Regulations
15. Health Hints on the Use of Computer cum More Exercise Smart Work
16. Occupational Stress cum Happy Workplace
17. First Aid in the Workplace
18. Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases cum Work and Healthy Lifestyle

 
     Unless otherwise specified, the courses will mainly be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre, 13/F, KOLOUR Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan. Enrolment is free.
 
     Application forms are available at the training centre or offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the LD. They can also be downloaded from the department’s website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/form.htm). For enquiries, please call 2940 7057.

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (June 2) that the fifth batch of the Arts Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities (Arts Fund) is open for applications from eligible organisations starting from today. Non-profit making organisations granted tax exemption status under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) with at least two years of experience in organising structured arts activities or training programmes for persons with disabilities (PWDs) may submit applications.
 
     The Government has endeavoured to promote the participation of PWDs in recreational, sports and cultural arts activities and provide them with appropriate activities and facilities, with a view to giving them opportunities to develop their potential and enhance their quality of life, as well as encouraging their participation in group activities and full integration into the community.
 
     The Arts Fund provides funding support to two tiers of arts projects. Tier One projects are for the provision of elementary and continuing arts programmes that enhance the arts knowledge of PWDs, foster their interest in arts and develop their potential, while Tier Two projects are large-scale, impactful and sustainable projects that assist individual PWDs with great artistic potential in pursuing their career in performing, visual or creative arts, and enable them to strive for excellence.
 
     The fifth batch of the Arts Fund is open for applications starting today until August 18. Interested organisations may visit the SWD website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_supportser/sub_adfpd/) for more details and download the latest application form or complete the electronic application form.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 2) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, today (June 1) visited Nanshan District in Shenzhen to inspect the development and implementation of local districts in the area. 

     Ms Linn visited the Houhai Core District, the Dachong Village Renovation Development, and the Dasha River Ecological Corridor Development in Nanshan District, Shenzhen.

     During the visit, the representatives from the People’s Government of Nanshan District, Shenzhen and the developer shared their experience in developing local districts through district-wide coordinated approach, including the application of innovative ideas to transform old districts into new development areas integrating industries, culture, commercial activities, education and residential functions, as well as to convert polluted river into an ecological corridor. Under this development approach, a single developer would, in accordance with the spatial and industrial planning by the government, undertake various tasks in the development process of the entire district, including clearance and compensation, detailed design, construction, operation of the commercial and residential properties, and management of the newly built community facilities, with a view to enhancing efficiency and coherence of development in the district.

     Ms Linn said that the development of the Northern Metropolis is one of the priorities of the current-term Government, and the area will integrate quality life, development of industries, and culture and leisure. It is the new engine for Hong Kong to scale new heights. During the development process of the Northern Metropolis, the Government will adopt a development model of high efficiency and quality, taking into account the actual circumstances in Hong Kong and making reference to the experience of developing and transforming old districts in other areas including the Mainland. 

     The Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam; and the Director of the Preparatory Office for Northern Metropolis, Mr Vic Yau, also joined the visit.

     The delegation returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.