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.
FS concludes visit to UK (with photos/video)
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK), yesterday (September 27, London time). In the morning, he attended a roundtable meeting organised by The CityUK, an industry-led body representing UK-based financial services. He engaged in in-depth discussions with over 20 leaders from the UK's financial community. At the meeting, Mr Chan briefed participants on the economic situation in Hong Kong, and highlighted that the city's financial markets are undergoing continuous reforms and innovations, with good progress achieved in the stock market, asset and wealth management, offshore renminbi business, green finance, fintech, etc. He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is actively working to reinforce and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, and he looks forward to strengthening co-operation with the UK financial sector to promote mutual development.
Mr Chan then attended a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Association of the UK, where he delivered a speech to about 150 guests from the UK political and business communities. He said that with the solid support of the Central Authorities, Hong Kong's economy is steadily advancing, and the city is fully committed to promoting the development of the "Eight Centres". He emphasised that financial services and innovation and technology are the city's key future dual economic engines. Citing green finance as an example, Mr Chan highlighted that Hong Kong is developing itself into an international green tech and green finance centre; where the city fully supports the development of technologies in addition to green and sustainable financing. Hong Kong is also actively aligning with international green standards, including developing green classification frameworks, and pressing ahead with sustainability disclosure requirements in financial reporting. Mr Chan also introduced the four main areas of innovation and technology development in Hong Kong and explained how the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, as "patient capital," can leverage capital to guide more long-term private market investments into strategic industries, accelerating the development of its ecosystem.
Mr Chan will leave London today (September 28, London time) and arrive in Hong Kong in the afternoon of September 29.
FS concludes visit to UK (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS concludes visit to UK (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS concludes visit to UK (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS concludes visit to UK (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
