The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (March 7) announced that the department tested 34 water samples collected from cooling towers in 33 buildings in its routine inspections in February 2024. None of them were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

     The EMSD also announced the locations of buildings which were served with nuisance notices during the preceding three-month period as the total legionella count was found in the fresh water cooling towers to be equal to or above the upper threshold. Details can be found in Annex 2.

     The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

     The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.

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 said today (March 7) that the red flags at Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, have been lowered.

     The red flags were hoisted earlier because of sewerage works carried out near the beaches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Ministry of Finance will issue Renminbi Sovereign Bonds through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Sovereign Bonds to be issued by the Ministry of Finance. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA.

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the opening ceremony of the OSH Innovation and Technology Expo today (March 7):

Dr Mong (Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Council, Dr David Mong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you for the opening of the OSH Innovation and Technology Expo.

     Let me first extend my very warm welcome to the entrepreneurs and innovators, occupational safety and health practitioners, government officials and academics, as well as the general public, for attending this Expo. 
 
     You are taking part, in-person and online, from Hong Kong, Mainland China and around the world, here for a two-day summit on occupational safety and health – and for the important role that innovation and technology play in it.
 
     Robotics, AI (artificial intelligence), cloud technology, and sensing and display technology are just some of the smart developments on the Expo's agenda.
 
     More than 30 speakers from various sectors, such as innovation and technology, medicine, logistics and construction, will share with us their expertise and innovations.
 
     And the Expo's exhibition features more than 50 local and global organisations with their latest safety products and developments in industrial and construction settings.
 
     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, like everyone here, looks forward to their insights. 
 
     We are determined to safeguard and enhance the occupational safety and health of workers in Hong Kong. The use of innovation and technology in industrial operations and construction projects is key to achieving this goal.
 
     For one thing, timely alerts to site personnel can make a difference. In this regard, Smart Site Safety Systems are being increasingly adopted. They are used to monitor high-risk construction activities, so that potential dangers can be identified early and tackled immediately.

     Since February last year, our Government has required all capital works contracts that exceed HK$30 million, i.e. some US$4 million, to adopt the System.

     To fast-track its application, our Government is providing subsidies on private works' sites through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund. Contractors are also offering support services through the Construction Industry Council.
 
     Recently, our Housing Bureau has entered into an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute. Their mission is to explore innovative solutions and applications in construction safety and efficiency.
 
     The technologies under their study include Smart Optical Sensing for High Precision MiC (Modular Integrated Construction) Positioning, Enhanced 5G Coverage for Remote Crane Control, and Universal AI Predictive Maintenance System for Lifts. These innovations can reduce physically demanding tasks and provide real-time on-site safety monitoring.
    
     And I am pleased to announce that, today, our Labour Department is launching the updated Work Safety Alert mobile app "OSH 2.0".
 
     The app is more than a safety alert. It will provide the latest occupational safety and health information to the public. It will also allow employers and employees to enrol in occupational safety and health courses, and report unsafe workplace operations.
 
     I have every confidence that, with the collective wisdom of you all, and the wider use of innovation and technology, we can make workplaces safer, healthier and smarter. 
 
     My thanks to the organisers, the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council, and the many supporting organisations for putting this Expo together.
 
     I wish you all a rewarding time here, as well as the best of business, occupational safety and health in the year ahead. Thank you very much.

        

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 (March 7) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.