FEHD uses video recording for evidence collection to strengthen crackdown on unlicensed cooked food hawkers

Cracking down on unlicensed cooked food hawkers: fehd harnesses video evidence for stronger enforcement

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (April 18) that to enhance evidence collection efficiency and minimise safety risks to passers-by and law enforcement officers, the FEHD piloted a new enforcement strategy using video evidence collection in North District to effectively combat unlicensed cooked food hawking activities.

The FEHD conducted a pilot enforcement operation codenamed "Nighthawk" against suspected organised unlicensed cooked food hawking activities in the area of Choi Yuen Road near Po Shek Wu Estate Ancillary Facilities Block in Sheung Shui last night (April 17). Officers used video recording devices to document illegal acts and gather information on unlicensed cooked food hawkers there as evidence. Since 2023, the FEHD has received 19 complaints related to illegal hawking activities at the location. During the operation, the FEHD arrested four persons and initiated prosecution against them for illegal hawking and causing obstruction in a public place, as well as cooking or heating food for the purpose of hawking without a valid licence. Four cooked food trolleys with relevant equipment were seized, and about 20 kilograms of food involved were immediately destroyed.

The spokesman added that the new enforcement strategy would enable frontline staff to collect evidence more effectively, allowing enforcement officers to arrest hawkers based on the video evidence even after the offenders have left the scene. This approach could help avoid confrontations or chaotic situations at the scene, minimising risks to passers-by and law enforcement officers, while enhancing the effectiveness in curbing unlicensed cooked food hawking activities.

The spokesman emphasised that since the seized food trolleys were extremely dirty and the source of the seized food was unknown, prepared in substandard hygiene conditions, the food could easily be contaminated by unclean utensils and harmful microorganisms, posing a threat to food safety and public health.

According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), no person shall hawk in any street unless he or she holds a valid hawker licence issued by the FEHD. Offenders can be prosecuted and are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5,000 and one month's imprisonment for a first conviction, and a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment for a subsequent conviction. In addition, according to the Hawker Regulation (Cap. 132AI), no person shall, for the purpose of hawking, cook or heat any food or have in his or her possession any cooking stove or heating apparatus intended for cooking or heating food unless he or she holds a licence for operating a cooked food service. Offenders can be prosecuted and are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment for a first conviction, and a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment for a subsequent conviction. If unlicensed hawking activities obstruct passageways, law enforcement officers may institute additional prosecutions against offenders who cause obstruction by placing articles in public places under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228). Offenders are liable to a fine of $25,000 or imprisonment for three months upon conviction.

The spokesman stressed that the FEHD will continue to combat unlicensed cooked food hawking activities to safeguard public health and food safety. The spokesman also reminded the public to pay attention to food safety, not to patronise unlicensed cooked food hawkers, and not to take food risks lightly. Given the satisfactory results of the pilot enforcement operation, the FEHD will consider applying the new enforcement strategy to other districts to combat unlicensed cooked food hawkers.

FEHD uses video recording for evidence collection to strengthen crackdown on unlicensed cooked food hawkers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD uses video recording for evidence collection to strengthen crackdown on unlicensed cooked food hawkers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorm

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (July 27) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

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