The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) expressed concern over a maintenance work accident at Chemical Waste Treatment Centre (CWTC) today (June 14), which resulted in the injuries of 10 staff of the maintenance work contractor.

     The incident occurred at 9.15am when a temporary metal scaffold was suspected to have collapsed during the annual maintenance work of an incinerator at the CWTC in Tsing Yi, causing multiple injuries. Ten workers, aged 22 to 61, were sent to three hospitals for treatment.

     The 10 workers were hired by the maintenance work contractor of the operator of the CWTC. The EPD offered condolences to the injured and will provide appropriate assistance.

     The EPD is highly concerned about the accident and has requested the operator of the CWTC to submit a report within a month for the department's follow-up investigation. The EPD will also co-operate with the Labour Department in its investigation.

     The metal scaffold concerned is a temporary structure constructed for maintenance work of the incinerator. An initial assessment revealed the structure of the CWTC has not been affected by the incident.

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a serious work accident that happened at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre in Tsing Yi this morning (June 14), in which ten workers were injured when a metal scaffold erected inside the chimney of a combustion chamber for repairing and maintenance work collapsed.

​     The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned and the occupier of the premises, suspending the use, erection, alteration and dismantling of the metal scaffolds as well as any works carried out in the combustion chamber. The contractors concerned and the occupier of the premises cannot resume the work process until the 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, 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.

     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require occupiers of premises/employers to provide safe means of access and egress and safe working environments, plant and systems of work for the employees. Those who contravene the above provisions are liable to a fine of $200,000 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, reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
    
     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.

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.

     Wong Kin-yu, aged 84, went missing after he left his residence on Tong Mei Road on June 10 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence on June 11 evening. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (June 14), six COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1061, 1062, 1070, 1076, 1077 and 1083) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1 067 patients with confirmed or probable infections have been discharged.

     At present, there are 644 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 199 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 39 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in seven hospitals, among which three patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1084 and 1100), one patient is in serious condition (case number: 1092) and the remaining 35 patients are in stable condition.

     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (June 14), no new local confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been recorded, and that the number of cases in Hong Kong remained at 1 110 so far (comprising 1 109 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Meanwhile, the CHP has been actively conducting epidemiological investigation as well as carrying out preventive and control measures in regard to the cluster in Luk Chuen House. The CHP yesterday (June 13) conducted an inspection at Luk Chuen House with relevant departments and experts. Environmental samples from the flat (including the toilet and kitchen) of the patient of the 1110th case and vent pipe on the rooftop of Luk Chuen House were taken. All environmental samples were tested negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. 

     The CHP yesterday and today are giving out another specimen bottle to residents of Luk Chuen House through the Housing Department for collecting deep throat saliva samples for the second COVID-19 testing. The CHP strongly appeals to and urges them to collect their deep throat saliva samples according to instructions and submit them to the CHP in the specified period (June 15 to 17) for early testing. The CHP will arrange compulsory testing for those who do not return their samples.

     The CHP will also arrange the second COVID-19 testing for residents of the "10" and "12" units of Luk Chuen House who are under quarantine at quarantine centre before the completion of their 14-day quarantine.

     The CHP again urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of infection. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.

     "The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

     "As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."

     Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.

     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:

• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.