Tag Archives: China

     The Government today (February 16) published in the Gazette the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2024. The Notice seeks to update the safety standards for toys and six classes of children’s products listed in Schedule 2 (Schedule 2 products) under the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424).
 
     The six classes of Schedule 2 products are (i) baby walking frames; (ii) bunk beds for domestic use; (iii) child safety barriers for domestic use; (iv) children’s paints; (v) playpens for domestic use; and (vi) wheeled child conveyances. The Notice will take effect on August 1, 2024.
 
     The Ordinance stipulates that a person must not manufacture, import or supply a toy or a Schedule 2 product unless it complies with all the applicable requirements contained in any one of the safety standards (international standards or standards adopted by major economies) specified in Schedule 1 (applicable to toys) or Schedule 2 (applicable to Schedule 2 products). The Government keeps in view any updates or amendments to the safety standards so as to apply up-to-date and operative versions of the standards to toys and Schedule 2 products supplied in Hong Kong. The last updates to Schedules 1 and 2 came into operation in September 2022 and August 2023 respectively. read more

     The Labour Department has urged contractors, employers and employees to be more vigilant, check their workplaces and take adequate safety precautions before resuming work after the Chinese New Year holidays.
 
     A spokesperson for the department said today (February 16) that both management and employees should pay more attention to work safety as their safety alertness might have diminished and workplace conditions might have changed after long holidays.
 
     The spokesperson said, “If the work involves processes, machinery or equipment with potential hazards, it is vital to check, prepare and implement necessary safety measures in advance before the commencement of work.
 
     “All scaffolding, working platforms, lifting appliances, temporary power supplies, gas welding and flame cutting operations, chemical processes, confined spaces, sewage works and excavations should be inspected by competent persons to ensure that they are in safe condition before putting them into use again or resuming operation.
 
     “Employees should also be fully advised and instructed to follow safety precautions when working at height or engaging in lifting operation, tunnelling works, electrical work and other hazardous work,” the spokesperson added.
 
     To prevent work accidents, the spokesperson urged contractors and employers to step up monitoring to ensure workplace safety after the holidays.
 
     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or a maximum fine of $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.
 
     Meanwhile, employees should co-operate by following safety instructions and by using safety equipment.
 
     For enquiries on occupational safety and health, please contact the department’s occupational safety officers at 2559 2297. read more

     â€‹The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (February 15) launched an operation at Tai Lam Correctional Institution to combat illicit activities.      The management of Tai Lam Correctio… read more

     Police today (February 15) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sham Shui Po.      Fung Wai-shing, aged 38, went missing after he left his residence in Shek Kip Me… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 15) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.

     The case involves a 7-year-old boy with underlying diseases. He had developed a fever, sore throat and cough with sputum since January 26, and had visited private doctors several times from January 26 to February 7. He later developed shortness of breath on February 11 and attended the accident and emergency department of a private hospital on February 13. He was brought to Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday (February 14) and was admitted on the same day. He was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital for further treatment today. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia. He is now in serious condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Three of his home contacts are currently symptomatic. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, “Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website.”

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information. read more