Labour Department Issues Heat Stress Warning: Protect Workers from Heat Stroke

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Labour Department, Photo source: reference image

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

Photo source: reference image

Vetting Committee supports another application under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme

The Innovation and Technology Commission announced today (June 23) that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee (the Vetting Committee) under the Innovation and Technology Fund has supported in principle an application submitted by Eutron Fab Limited under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS). The project plans to set up micro-electro-mechanical systems wafer production lines which are under the advanced manufacturing technology sector. The estimated total investment amount is over $600 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be around $200 million.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government actively promotes development of the semiconductor and microelectronics industries in Hong Kong, with a view to advancing new industrialisation on all fronts. We are glad to see one more enterprise from the microelectronics-related sector participating in the NIAS to establish new advanced production facilities in Hong Kong. This not only injects new impetus into the local microelectronics industry, but also helps strengthen Hong Kong's microelectronics ecosystem. The HKSAR Government will continue to support relevant industries, enhance the industry chain, and drive economic growth."

The NIAS aims to provide funding support on a 1 (Government): 2(enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies), and contributing no less than $100 million to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government also provides additional funding for relevant enterprises to engage research talent and/or technical personnel.

The NIAS is open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

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