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.
The 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.
The Heat Stress at Work Warning is in effect
Hospital Authority Family Medicine Outpatient Services arrangements on HKSAR Establishment Day holiday
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (June 29) announced that 15 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) will provide public holiday family medicine outpatient services on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Establishment Day holiday (July 1) (see table below). Members of the public may book an appointment through the telephone appointment system, the eHealth mobile application or the "Book FMC" function in the "HA Go" mobile application.
The spokesperson reminded the public to stay vigilant about personal and environmental hygiene during the holiday to avoid spreading diseases. Members of the public who develop respiratory symptoms should wear masks and seek medical advice promptly. The spokesperson emphasised that non-emergency patients should avoid using Accident and Emergency (A&E) services and instead seek treatment at FMCs, private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on public hospital A&Es. Members of the public can visit the Health Bureau's Primary Care Directory www.pcdirectory.gov.hk to choose a family doctor and view related clinic service information.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson appealed to eligible members of the public, especially high-risk groups, to get vaccinated early for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to reduce the chance of infection for themselves and their family members, as well as to reduce critical cases and deaths.
Family Medicine Outpatient Services arrangements on HKSAR Establishment Day holiday (July 1):
| Region | FMCs | Address | General Enquiry | Telephone Booking |
| Hong Kong Island | Aberdeen Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic | 10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen | 2555 0381 | 3543 5011 |
| Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic | 1/F, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan | 2560 0211 | 3157 0077 |
| Wan Chai Violet Peel Family Medicine Clinic | LG, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai | 3553 3116 | 3157 0000 |
| Kowloon | Kwun Tong Family Medicine Integrated Centre | UG/F, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong | 2389 0331 | 3157 0687 |
| Nam Cheong Family Medicine Clinic | G/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan | 3742 3876 | 3543 5795 |
| Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic | G/F, Out-patient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin | 2354 2267 | 3157 0118 |
| San Po Kong Robert Black Family Medicine Clinic | 600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong | 2383 3311 | 3157 0113 |
| Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic | 1/F, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei | 2272 2400 | 3157 0880 |
| New Territories | Lek Yuen Family Medicine Clinic | G/F, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin | 2692 8730 | 3157 0972 |
| North District Family Medicine Integrated Centre | 3/F, North District Community Health Centre Building, 3 Wai Wo Street, Sheung Shui | 2957 5186 | 3157 0965 |
| Tai Po Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic | G/F, 37 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po | 2664 2039 | 3157 0906 |
| Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) Family Medicine Clinic | G/F, 28 Po Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O | 2191 1083 | 3157 0660 |
| Tsuen Wan Lady Trench Family Medicine Clinic | 213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan | 2614 4789 | 3157 0107 |
| Tuen Mun Family Medicine Clinic | 11 Tsing Yin Street, San Hui, Tuen Mun | 2452 9111 | 3543 0886 |
| Yuen Long Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic | 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long | 2443 8511 | 3543 5007 |
Service hours: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Source: AI-found images
