LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

Labour department urges employers and employees to take precautions during heat stress warning to prevent heat stroke at work

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.

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Estate agent jailed for contravening residential properties ordinance: srpa considers appeal over fraudulent misrepresentations in first-hand sales

An estate agent who contravened the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance was convicted of one count of offence today (June 27) at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts and was sentenced to seven weeks' immediate imprisonment, according to a spokesman of the Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority (SRPA).

The SRPA respects the ruling of the court and, given the gravity of the offence, will consider whether to lodge an appeal against the sentence after studying the judgment in detail and seeking legal advice.

The estate agent made fraudulent or reckless misrepresentations on April 5, 2021, for the purpose of inducing another person to purchase a specified residential property in a first-hand residential development phase.

This is the first time the SRPA has initiated prosecution under section 76 of the Ordinance against an estate agent for making fraudulent or reckless misrepresentations regarding mortgage terms offered by a developer.

The SRPA spokesman said that two estate agents have been convicted since the Ordinance came into force on April 29, 2013. The SRPA reminds estate agents not to make false, misleading or deceptive statements when selling first-hand residential properties. To avoid contravening the law inadvertently, estate agents should learn more about the Ordinance, provide correct information to prospective purchasers and comply with good selling practices.

The SRPA also advises prospective purchasers to be vigilant about information provided by others. Prospective purchasers should study carefully the terms of payment as set out on a price list. If there are discounts on the price, gifts, or any financial advantages or benefits to be made available by the vendor, such information will also be set out on the price list. Prospective purchasers should check with vendors or financial companies designated by vendorsdirectly if they have any doubts about the information provided by others on mortgage loan plans.

Details of the case have been uploaded to the SRPA website at www.srpa.gov.hk/en/prosecution-cases.html for public inspection.

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