The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

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 4) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

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 4) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Police are investigating a Police open fire case in Hung Hom yesterday afternoon (December 3).

     At about 12.55pm yesterday, officers of Crime Kowloon West Region acted on information and arrested seven men on Sheung Lok Street for suspected conspiracy to robbery, possession of offensive weapons, resisting arrest and uttering forged document, etc.

     During the operation, when officers attempted to intercept a target private car and a target taxi, a 21-year-old man tried to knock down a male officer with the private car. The officer gave verbal warnings to the man inside the car but in vain, and subsequently fired one shot at him and intercepted the car. Five men on the private car and two men on the taxi, aged between 20 and 27, were arrested. Three of the men were injured and sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state.

     Police seized five knives, one metal hammer, face masks and gloves, etc, in the operation. Investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon West is underway. Police do not rule out the possibility that more arrests will be made.

     Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 8283.

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a work accident that happened at a construction site in Tin Shui Wai today (December 3), in which a male worker was struck by a fallen metal I-beam being dismantled. The worker was certified dead in the hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim's family.
      
     The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending all metal I-beam cutting and dismantling work on the site. The contractors 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, 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, reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a 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.