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.
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.
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Labour Department to hold courses and public talks on prevention of heat stroke at work and occupational health
The Labour Department (LD) regularly organises courses and public health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work and occupational health to raise awareness of occupational health among both employers and employees.
Details of seven courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in July are as follows:
(1)
Topic: Safety Legislation for Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment (Course Code: IW)
Dates and time: July 7 and 24, half day (am); July 14 and 29, half day (pm)
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD, 13/F, KOLOUR·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Enrolment method: Online registration for Occupational Safety and Health Training Courses (www.oshtc.labour.gov.hk/wpas/?lang=en)
Enquiry hotline: 2940 7057
(2)
Topic: Safety Legislation on Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment and Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment (Course Code: HS)
Date and time: July 9 and 16, half day (am)
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration for courses in the Occupational Safety and Health Centre (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2361 8240
(3)
Topic: Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment and Heat Stress Risk Assessment
Date and time: July 15 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration for public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
In addition, the LD will hold the following occupational health public talk in July:
Topic: Occupational Health of Office Workers Series (I) Health Hints on the Use of Computer
Content: The talk will briefly introduce the Occupational Safety and Health (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation, and elaborate on the occupational health hazards and preventive measures associated with prolonged use of computers, to enhance employees' occupational health awareness.
Date and time: July 23 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
All courses and public talks will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist or occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free.
The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach occupational health education service. For details, please visit the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062.
Source: AI-found images
