The Highways Department is holding a roving exhibition for the Central – Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link (CWB) project from today (October 1) to November to enhance public understanding of the benefits, co… read more
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about the work accident that happened offshore in Lau Fau Shan in the afternoon yesterday (September 30), in which a worker engaging in plant clearing work in the water was drowned. The worker was certified dead in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker in the accident and expresses 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. We will issue suspension notice to the contractor involved to suspend the plant clearing work activity there. The contractor cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks 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 Occupational Safety and Health 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 fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months.
In regard to yesterday’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
Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (October 1). The arrangements will come into effect two hours b… read more
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Yellow fire danger warning The fire danger situation today (October 1) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hike… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 30) received notification of an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangdong from the National Health Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involved a 22-year-old man from Guangzhou in Guangdong. He developed symptoms on September 25 and was hospitalised on the next day. He is now in a serious condition. The patient had contact with live poultry before the onset of symptoms.
From 2014 to date, 21 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.
“All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.
Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.
Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
The CHP’s Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.
The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below if handling poultry: