The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 is 105.3 (down 0.5 against yesterday's index).

     â€‹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.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 22) 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.

     "Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. 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 can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to 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 is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed 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, sweating or towelling off; 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.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report 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.

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 prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 22) announced that, following an open tender exercise, Chun Hing Plastic Packaging Manufactory Limited, Enviro-Sense GreenTech Co. Limited, Liveability Limited and Nicole Universal Company Limited had won the nine contracts for supplying designated bags (DBs) for the implementation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) charging. For details, please refer to the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/news_events/notices/notices_230822.html).

     EPD conducted an open tender exercise for the DBs contracts on June 10, 2022. However, the tender prices of all conforming tenders that could fully comply with the technical requirements were much higher than expected. To utilise public financial resources prudently, the department cancelled the tender exercise. Subsequently, the department made changes to the specifications of DBs and the terms of tender documents with a view to reducing the production costs of DBs; it also allowed the production process to be conducted outside the territory of Hong Kong so as to confine the tender prices to the original estimates. The department conducted another open tender exercise for the DBs contracts on March 31, 2023, and received a total of 45 tenders by the tender closing date on May 12. The tender prices of all successful tenderers are lower than the original estimates.

     An EPD spokesman said, "We anticipate that the contractors could commence the production of DBs in October so as to ensure a stable and sufficient supply on the market before the implementation of MSW charging on April 1 next year."

     In addition, to ensure the production quality of the DBs, each contractor holds a valid ISO9001 Quality Management System Certification and is required to conduct quality testing on the DBs at an independent accredited laboratory in accordance with the contract requirements. The EPD will also conduct random sampling and quality testing of the DBs.

     The spokesman added, "EPD will continue to actively prepare for the implementation of MSW charging on April 1 next year. In particular, a territory-wide public education and publicity campaign under the theme of 'Recycle More, Dump Less, Save More' was launched in mid-August through the Environmental Campaign Committee in order to deepen the knowledge of the general public on MSW charging; advocate behavioural change to reduce waste generation at source and to proactively practise clean recycling; and remind citizens to comply with the legislative requirements. The campaign will continue until the fourth quarter next year. Furthermore, the Government will arrange to lay before the Legislative Council (LegCo) the subsidiary legislation for appointing the implementation date of MSW charging for negative vetting at the first meeting after the LegCo's summer recess (i.e. October 18)."