LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning
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.
Government pressing ahead with San Tin Technopole project
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft San Tin Technopole Outline Zoning Plan (OZP), the draft Mai Po and Fairview Park OZP and the draft Ngau Tam Mei OZP. The approval provides a statutory planning framework for taking forward the San Tin Technopole (except the Loop with approved statutory planning earlier) and the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP).
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said today (September 20) that, with the completion of the statutory planning process, the Government will press ahead with the San Tin Technopole and related projects. Although the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for San Tin Technopole is under the challenge of a judicial review, the project is underpinned by comprehensive and professional studies and extensive consultation in accordance with the laws and regulations. The project also carries strategic importance to innovation and technology (I&T) development, and there is a strong voice in the society for accelerating I&T development without further delay.
"The Government is striving to promote the development of the Northern Metropolis as a strategic growth area, pressing ahead with various land development, infrastructure and housing projects to address the needs of the society, people's livelihood and economic development. The Government will not, and should not, halt a project that will bring benefits to the society simply because an individual has applied for a judicial review. The Government team will tackle the challenges of the judicial review in full strength, while proceeding with the project cautiously and pragmatically, with a view to minimising the impact to the project progress arising from the judicial review being pursued by that individual," the spokesman said.
"The Government will seek funding approval for the first batch of site formation and infrastructure works for the San Tin Technopole from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council towards the end of this year as scheduled, targeting to have the first batch of I&T sites formed in 2026. The availability of I&T land in a progressive and timely manner will create more space for local I&T start-ups to grow and better attract companies outside Hong Kong to settle in here. This will fuel up the momentum for development of the whole I&T sector, duly responding to the strategic support for Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T centre under the 14th Five-Year Plan," the spokesman added.
"Besides, the Government has been emphasising 'co-existence of development and conservation'. One of the goals of establishing the SPS WCP is to achieve no-net-loss in the ecological function and capacity arising from development. When we apply for the funding of works towards the end of this year, we will bundle it with the funding application for the design work of the SPS WCP Phase 1."
The spokesman stressed that the funding application for the first batch of works will not involve pond filling. As committed earlier, the Government will not start the pond filling works before commencement of works for the SPS WCP in 2026/27.
Other preparatory work includes formulation of the Planning and Design Brief (PDB), which will be submitted to the Town Planning Board for approval after consultation with relevant stakeholders. The PDB will provide more detailed development guidance for the relevant I&T sites.
The San Tin Technopole is the flagship project of the Northern Metropolis. Together with the Loop, there is a total area of about 600 hectares, half of which are I&T land. The San Tin Technopole will provide about 160 000 employment opportunities, about 50 000 flats, as well as comprehensive transport infrastructures and community facilities. It will become a modern new development area with industrial development, ecological conservation and a livable environment. During the two-month public engagement activities held last year, members of the public generally supported the development of the San Tin Technopole. The EIA Report has proposed various mitigation and compensatory measures to address the environmental impacts arising from the project, including the establishment of the SPS WCP. Not only will no-net-loss in the ecological function and capacity of the wetland concerned be achieved under the project, it will also enhance the ecological value of the existing wetland.
