Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 3) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH’s Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:    … read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.      To prevent heat stroke, avoid pro… read more

     Police today (August 2) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.      Lam Bing-chor, aged 25, went missing after he left his residence in Choi Hung Estate yesterda… read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (August 2) the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), or in short WPRS, ran generally smoothly in the first two days of implementation. The WPRS covers air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors (collectively referred to as regulated electrical equipment, or REE).

     A spokesman for EPD said, “The new scheme runs generally smoothly in the first two days of implementation. The EPD has been closely monitoring the operation of the operator of the Government’s WEEE Treatment and Recycling Facility (WEEE‧PARK). To prepare for the implementation of the scheme, the operator has fully geared up and put in additional manpower to attain its performance pledge for collecting the used equipment from consumers three working days after receipt of the service request from the sellers. After reviewing the booking position of the operator for the coming days, we believe the operator has the capacity to fulfil this pledge. On this basis, consumers should be able to ask the sellers to arrange delivery of the new product and removal of a used equipment on the same day without the need to pay an extra fee to the sellers.”
 
     “For members of the public who do not purchase a new REE but have to dispose of a used REE, please call the recycling hotline 2676 8888 to make an appointment with the WEEE‧PARK operator for free collection. In this regard, the operator will make full use of its additional manpower to meet the service demand. Based on the current booking position, the operator is able to arrange collection of the used items in about a week after receipt of the collection request through the hotline,” the spokesman added.
 
     The EPD also appeals to members of the public to make full use of the free statutory removal service under the WPRS or the free collection service through the recycling hotline, and not to throw away any used REE at the refuse collection points. In case used REE are found at the refuse collection points, the EPD has worked with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to ensure proper handling and recycling of those items, which will not be delivered to the landfills or the refuse transfer stations.

     Meanwhile, with the commencement of the legislation, the EPD has commenced its enforcement efforts including inspections at shops suspected of breaching the law and which have not submitted applications. As at 4pm today, the EPD has conducted inspection at over 90 points of sales and the overall compliance situation is satisfactory.

     Among others, in following up a complaint received from a member of the public, the EPD has found a suspected case of non-compliance. The seller concerned is suspected of distributing REE to a consumer in the absence of a removal service plan (RSP) that has been endorsed by the EPD. The EPD is conducting investigation and will take enforcement actions as necessary.  According to the law, any person who contravenes this requirement is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on conviction. 

      A supplier of REE must also register with the EPD before distributing REE. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on conviction.

      As at July 31, 2018 immediately before the commencement of the law, the EPD had received 2 562 applications for endorsement of RSP by REE sellers and 219 applications for registration as suppliers. As of today, the EPD has approved 1 843 and 183 applications respectively. Those cases that are still being processed were received in the week preceding the commencement of the law, including 38 RSP endorsement and 4 supplier registration applications received yesterday. The EPD will complete processing these applications as soon as possible.

     A set of questions and answers about the operation of the WPRS is at Annex. Members of the public can call the EPD’s dedicated hotline 2310 0223 if they have any questions or complaints on the implementation arrangement of the WPRS. read more