Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 14) that due to bi… read more
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about the work accident that happened in Sham Shui Po today (December 13), in which a scaffolding worker fell from height at a residential building and sustained fatal injury. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and has expressed its deepest sympathy to the victim’s family.
The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and will issue suspension notices to the contractors/employer involved to suspend the use, erection, alteration and dismantling of truss-out scaffolds concerned. The contractors/employer 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, safe 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.
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, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
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. read more
The Land and Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) held its first meeting today (December 13) since the commencement of its new term on July 1, 2018. Members were briefed on the Buildings Department’s proposal to develop an Electronic Submission Hub (ESH) for centralised processing of electronic building plans, documents, and applications under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123). The LDAC was also briefed by the Development Bureau (DEVB) on two applications under the facilitation scheme for provision of pedestrian links by the private sector in areas outside Kowloon East (the Scheme) and the progress of the Energizing Kowloon East (EKE) initiatives.
Members took note of the benefits brought by the ESH, which could allow building professionals to submit, and relevant departments and authorities to process plans and documents on the same electronic platform. Apart from streamlining development approval process, members also noted that the ESH would facilitate the greater and fuller use of Building Information Modelling technology for private development projects. Members were supportive of the proposal, and raised various pertinent concerns on future operation of submission of building plans, cyber security, etc. They also suggested in the longer term, exploring the possibility of connecting the proposed hub with other development-related processing systems of the Government. Members noted that DEVB planned to consult the Legislative Council Panel on Development on December 19 on the proposal and seek funding approval from the Finance Committee thereafter.
The two applications under the Scheme involve the provision of three pedestrian links in Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui (location plans are at Annex). Taking into account assessment results based on the Scheme’s established evaluation mechanism, members considered that the proposed pedestrian links could benefit the community by improving walkability of the locality. Overall, members generally supported DEVB’s recommendations to waive the premium payable for lease modifications arising from the construction of the three proposed pedestrian links under the two applications. With the LDAC’s support, the recommendations for premium waiver will be duly submitted to the Executive Council for consideration.
Members were briefed on the implementation of the EKE initiatives, which focus on such aspects as enhancing connectivity, improving the environment, unleashing development potential, smart city development, and also the extension of the initiatives to the San Po Kong Business Area. Members noted the report and expressed appreciation of Energizing Kowloon East Office’s ongoing work. They also shared their views on traffic and parking issues, connectivity in Kowloon East and promotion of water sports activities. read more
The Smart Departure, a self-service departure for visitors to Hong Kong, of the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) has won the Radiant Pioneer Award from the Asia Pacific Smart Card Association (APSCA). The Award aims to recogn… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 13) that a sample of frozen ling fillet imported from New Zealand was found to contain a metal contaminant, mercury, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.
A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the abovementioned sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained mercury at a level of 2.84 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm.”
The spokesman said the CFS had informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and is tracing the source and distribution of the affected product.
“Mercury may affect the nervous system, particularly the developing brain. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS’ Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children, should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish which may contain high mercury levels to minimise the health risk posed to the foetus, infants and young children by excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food,” he added.
According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
“People are advised to maintain a balanced and varied diet. To avoid health risks posed by excessive intake of metallic contaminants, pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children should avoid eating large or predatory fish,” the spokesman said.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more