The Government launched a public consultation today (December 1) on proposed adoption of up-to-date safety standards promulgated by the relevant standards institutions for toys and some children's products listed in Schedule 2 (Schedule 2 products) under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Cap 424).

     The Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance stipulates that a person must not manufacture, import or supply a toy or Schedule 2 product unless it complies with all the applicable requirements contained in any one of the safety standards specified in Schedules 1 and 2 respectively to the Ordinance. The standards specified are international standards or standards adopted by major economies. The Government keeps in view updates to the standards so as to apply up-to-date and operative versions to products supplied in Hong Kong. 

     As the safety standards specified for toys and for five classes of Schedule 2 products, namely (i) "child safety barriers for domestic use", (ii) "children's cots for domestic use", (iii) "children's high chairs and multi-purpose high chairs for domestic use", (iv) "children's paints" and (v) "playpens for domestic use", have been updated, the Government proposes to adopt the up-to-date versions of those safety standards. Details of the proposal are set out in a consultation note available on the website of the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau at www.cedb.gov.hk/citb.

     Members of the public are welcome to send their views on the proposal in writing to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau at 23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong, or by email to tcpso_standards_updates@cedb.gov.hk, on or before December 31, 2018.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (December 2).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Kwun Tong Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health courses in the first half of 2019. The courses aim at enhancing the working population's understanding of the occupational safety regulations, and their awareness of occupational health.

     The courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
 

1. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulations
2. Confined Spaces Regulation
3. Major Safety Regulations Related to Working in Catering Trade
4. Dangerous Substances Regulations
5. Safety Management Regulation
6. Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
7. Regulations Related to Safety in Hotel Industry
8. A Brief Introduction to the Regulation on Display Screen Equipment
9. Office Workstation Setup
10. Air Monitoring in the Workplaces
11. Lighting Assessment in the Workplace
12. A Brief Introduction to Noise at Work Regulation
13. Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases
14. Gas Poisoning in Manholes
15. Occupational Health in Catering Industry
16. Chemicals and Occupational Health
17. Medical Examinations for Workers Engaged in Hazardous Occupations in Industrial Undertakings
18. Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries
19. Occupational Health Hints for New Recruit Young Employees
20. Health Hazards of Hot Environment at Work
21. Health Hints on the Use of Computer
22. More Exercise, Smart Work
23. Noise Hazards and Prevention of Hearing Loss
24. Occupational Health for Office Workers
25. Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Office Workers
26. Occupational Health for Workers in Pre-primary Education Services
27. Occupational Health for Cleansing Workers
28. Occupational Contact Dermatitis
29. Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries for Workers of Hotel Industry/Residential Care Homes
30. Occupational Health for Professional Drivers
31. Work & Common Gastrointestinal Diseases
32. Prevention of Upper and Lower Limb Disorders
33. Occupational Stress Workshop
34. Work & Healthy Lifestyle
35. First Aid in the Workplace
36. Safety Regulations on Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
37. Major Safety Regulations Related to Accident Prevention in Office Work

 
     The courses will mainly be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Centre, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong. Enrolment is free.
           
     Application forms are available at the centre or offices of the Occupational Health Service of the LD. They can also be downloaded from the department's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content6.htm). For enquiries, please call 2361 8240.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (November 30, Buenos Aires time) attended the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China.

     Under the theme of "Building consensus for fair and sustainable development", the Summit focuses on key issues such as the future of work, infrastructure for development and a sustainable food future.

     Mr Chan attended different meetings on an array of topics, including multilateral trade, financial and tax systems, as well as sustainable development.

     Yesterday (November 29, Buenos Aires time)before the Summit, Mr Chan met with the Deputy Finance Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr Sergey Storchak and briefed him on the latest development of Hong Kong’s financial services. Both sides agreed to continue with the negotiation on signing an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Mr Chan also called on the State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance of Germany, Mr Wolfgang Schmidt, to exchange views on global economic outlook.

     Tomorrow (December 1, Buenos Aires time), Mr Chan will continue to take part in the G20 Leaders' Summit.

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of December 3 (Hong Kong time).

    

     Hongkong Post announced today (December 1) that the latest posting date of Christmas mail for local delivery before Christmas Day is December 20 (Thursday). Mail posted after this date might run the risk of not being delivered in time because of anticipated seasonal work pressure. Members of the public are advised to post mail as early as possible in order to avoid a last-minute rush.
 
     During the Christmas holidays (December 25 and 26), there will be no mail delivery. All post offices will be closed except for the General Post Office and the Airport Post Office. The business hours of the two offices will be from noon to 5pm and 8am to 5pm respectively. General postal services will be provided. Details of services available will be advertised at the respective post offices. One mail collection will be made for the posting boxes of the General Post Office and the Airport Post Office. 
 
     To ensure that greetings sent by air mail are delivered before Christmas, members of the public are reminded to post their mail on or before the latest dates of posting. A complete list of the latest dates of posting for this year's Christmas mail by air is displayed at all post offices. Customers may also find the information on Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk or contact the Hongkong Post enquiry Hotline at 2921 2222.