Occupational safety and health courses open for applications
The Kwun Tong Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health courses in the second half of 2025. The courses aim at enhancing the working population's understanding of the occupational safety regulations and their awareness of occupational health.
The courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulations
Gas Poisoning in Manholes
Confined Spaces Regulations
Major Safety Regulations Related to Working in Catering Trade
Dangerous Substances Regulations
Safety Management Regulation
Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
Regulations Related to Safety in Hotel Industry
Safety Regulations on Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
Major Safety Regulations Related to Accident Prevention in Office and Storage Work
A Brief Introduction to the Regulation on Display Screen Equipment
Air Monitoring and Ventilation Systems in the Workplaces
Lighting Assessment in the Workplaces
Guidance Notes on Standing at Work
A Brief Introduction to Noise at Work Regulation
More Exercise, Smart Work
Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases
Occupational Health in Catering Industry
Chemicals and Occupational Health
Medical Examinations for Workers Engaged in Hazardous Occupations in Industrial Undertakings
Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries
Occupational Health for Security Guards
Chemicals and Occupational Health in Hotel Industry
Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment
Occupational Health for Office Workers
Health Hints on the Use of Computer
Prevention of Upper and Lower Limb Disorders
Noise Hazards and Prevention of Hearing Loss
Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Office Workers
Occupational Health for Cleansing Workers
Occupational Contact Dermatitis
Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries for Workers of Residential Care Home
Occupational Health for Professional Drivers
Work and Common Gastrointestinal Diseases
Occupational Stress
Happy Workplace
Work and Healthy Lifestyle
Work and Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension
First Aid in the Workplaces
Work and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Easy Tips for Healthy Eating at Work
The courses will be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Centre, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong. Enrolment is free.
Members of the public can apply via the online platform www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en or by fax. Please visit the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content6.htm) for more details and call 2361 8240 for enquiries.
Collecting preferences of Wang Fuk Court flat owners to advance long-term rehousing work
A Government spokesman said today (January 9) that social workers under the "one social worker per household" service of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are proactively contacting flat owners of Wang Fuk Court, who were affected by the fire. They are comprehensively and systematically gathering each owner's preliminary preferences regarding long-term rehousing to assist in formulating and implementing specific plans.
The Chief Executive previously instructed the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements to co-ordinate relevant policy bureaux and departments in studying long-term rehousing solutions. Adhering to the principles of "empathy, reason, and law", with priority given to "empathy", the Task Force aims to address the individual circumstances and preferences of residents while ensuring the efficient use of resources to assist affected households in rebuilding their homes.
The spokesman said, "Social workers from the SWD have been in contact with the residents, listening to their views, understanding their actual situations and needs, and providing necessary assistance. Regarding long-term accommodation, we have noticed differing opinions among flat owners and the community. For example, some hope that the Government will acquire the properties or give priority to Wang Fuk Court flat owners to purchase Home Ownership Scheme flats. Some residents seek local rehousing, while others accept rehousing in different districts. Some propose in-situ redevelopment, but there are also concerns about the lengthy waiting times.
"We hope to systematically and comprehensively collect Wang Fuk Court flat owners' opinions, further listening to and summarising their preferences. This includes identifying key principles that the Government should consider when addressing long-term accommodation arrangements and noting the flat owners’ initial preferences for different long-term rehousing options. This information will serve as a reference for the Government's follow-up actions."
Starting today, social workers under the SWD's "one social worker per household" service will begin contacting flat owners of Wang Fuk Court to gather their initial preferences regarding various long-term rehousing arrangements. The goal is to collect responses from the flat owners by mid-to-late January for analysis.
The spokesman said, "The Task Force will carefully compile and study the different preferences of flat owners and will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on the actual conditions at Wang Fuk Court, including structural safety, technical feasibility, and community planning. We aim to provide affected flat owners with suggestions regarding long-term proposals as soon as possible for their consideration and decision-making."
He said, "The Government and affected flat owners share a same objective: to implement solutions promptly and reassure them as soon as possible."
Following the fire, the Government arranged emergency accommodation for the affected residents of Wang Fuk Court in a short time frame. As of today, more than 4 400 residents are staying in hotels, youth hostels/camps, transitional housing, units from the Hong Kong Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun. Since December 22 last year, the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has provided each flat owner, in tranches, with a two-year rental subsidy up to a maximum of $300,000, giving them more flexibility and options in their accommodation arrangements.
Source: AI-found images
