The Kwun Tong Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health courses in the second half of 2025. The courses aim at enhancing the working population's understanding of the occupational safety regulations and their awareness of occupational health.   
      
     The courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
 

1. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulations
2. Gas Poisoning in Manholes
3. Confined Spaces Regulations
4. Major Safety Regulations Related to Working in Catering Trade
5. Dangerous Substances Regulations
6. Safety Management Regulation
7. Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
8. Regulations Related to Safety in Hotel Industry
9. Safety Regulations on Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
10. Major Safety Regulations Related to Accident Prevention in Office and Storage Work
11. A Brief Introduction to the Regulation on Display Screen Equipment
12. Air Monitoring and Ventilation Systems in the Workplaces
13. Lighting Assessment in the Workplaces
14. Guidance Notes on Standing at Work
15. A Brief Introduction to Noise at Work Regulation
16. More Exercise, Smart Work
17. Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases
18. Occupational Health in Catering Industry
19. Chemicals and Occupational Health
20. Medical Examinations for Workers Engaged in Hazardous Occupations in Industrial Undertakings
21. Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries
22. Occupational Health for Security Guards
23. Chemicals and Occupational Health in Hotel Industry
24. Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment
25. Occupational Health for Office Workers
26. Health Hints on the Use of Computer
27. Prevention of Upper and Lower Limb Disorders
28. Noise Hazards and Prevention of Hearing Loss
29. Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Office Workers
30. Occupational Health for Cleansing Workers
31. Occupational Contact Dermatitis
32. Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries for Workers of Residential Care Home
33. Occupational Health for Professional Drivers
34. Work and Common Gastrointestinal Diseases
35. Occupational Stress
36. Happy Workplace
37. Work and Healthy Lifestyle
38. Work and Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension
39. First Aid in the Workplaces
40. Work and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
41. Easy Tips for Healthy Eating at Work

 
     The courses will be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Centre, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong. Enrolment is free.
      
     Members of the public can apply via the online platform www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en or by fax. Please visit the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content6.htm) for more details and call 2361 8240 for enquiries.

     The Government gazetted today (June 13) the proposed road works for the expansion of the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to provide two open spaces at the existing breakwater connecting Shum Wan Road and at a proposed breakwater in Tai Shue Wan respectively, and a pedestrian walkway to link Ocean Drive and the open space at the proposed breakwater in Tai Shue Wan.

     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Ocean Court,
3 Aberdeen Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

District Lands Office, Hong Kong West and South,
20/F, Southorn Centre,
130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

     The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau's Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.
   

     A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than August 12, 2025.

     The Government announced today (June 13) that the Chief Executive has appointed the Chairman and members to the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB). The appointments will be effective from July 1, 2025, for a term of three years.

     The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the existing Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) will be reconstituted into the HKMPDB. To be chaired by a non-official member and with other members largely from the maritime sector, this high-level advisory body will assist the Government in formulating policies and long-term development strategies. The HKMPDB will be underpinned by dedicated staff and provided with additional funding to enhance its research capabilities, strengthen its Mainland and overseas promotional work and step up manpower training, with a view to supporting the Government in policy implementation more effectively and promoting the sustainable development of Hong Kong's maritime industry.

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan said, "Consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre is the top priority of the Government as well as the strategic objective of our country, hence particularly important for Hong Kong's economic development. The establishment of the HKMPDB is a key step in this institutional reform. It is hoped that the new Board will adopt an innovative and change-embracing spirit in supporting the Government to lead the maritime and port industry to further leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages and enhance the industry's global competitiveness in the midst of geopolitical challenges. Under the leadership of Dr Moses Cheng, I am confident that Board members will make valuable contributions to the work of the HKMPDB with their respective expertise and experience, and continue to advance side by side with the industry."

     Moreover, four committees will be formed under the HKMPDB to focus on specific areas of work, namely the Port Development Committee, the Maritime Services Development Committee, the Promotion and External Relations Committee and the Manpower Development Committee. The four committees will be formed by broad inclusion of industry stakeholders, including ad personam and institutional members. The appointments will be announced later this month.

     Ms Chan also expressed gratitude to the outgoing HKMPB members for their valuable contribution in the past, remarking that the substantive progress made in various areas of maritime and port development is a testimony to their dedicated effort.

     The terms of reference of the HKMPDB are at the Annex. The membership of the HKMPDB is as follows:

Chairman
————
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi

Members
————
Mr Angad Banga
Ms Sabrina Chao Sih-ming
Mr Bjorn Hojgaard
Mr Wellington Koo Tse-hau
Mr Timothy Lee Kwok-lam
Mr Edward Liu Yang
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Mr Alan Tung Lieh-sing
Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming

Ex-officio Members
————
Secretary for Transport and Logistics or representative
Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development
Director of Marine
Director-General of Investment Promotion
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 13) 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 Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Ho Tsu-kwok, a former Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and extended deep condolences to his family.

     Professor Lo said today (June 12), "Mr Ho will be remembered for his unreserved commitment to the country and to Hong Kong, as well as his outspokenness. Even though he suffered from a critical illness caused by tobacco, he generously and courageously shared his own experiences to raise public awareness on tobacco hazards. He made every effort to support the Government in promoting tobacco control and urged members of the public to stay away from tobacco hazards, in particular to protect young people from being enticed by 'sugar-coated poison' to try smoking. His sincere words have inspired many people. May he rest in peace and free from the suffering caused by tobacco. He will be sorely missed."