Labour Department to launch special inspection exercise targeting construction sites with high-risk work activities
The Labour Department (LD) will launch a territory-wide special inspection exercise (SIE) on July 6, targeting construction sites with high-risk work activities, including lifting operations, work-at-height or work-above ground activities, operations of heavy machines and lift works, in order to curb unsafe practices. The SIE will last for a period of time.
During the SIE, the LD will immediately take stringent enforcement actions if any violations of the occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation are detected, including initiating prosecutions and issuing suspension notices and improvement notices.
To enhance enforcement efficiency, the LD will also use small unmanned aircraft to conduct aerial remote surveillance of construction sites. Upon detection of unsafe work practices, photos and videos will be taken immediately for evidence collection to support inspections and enforcement actions.
Under the general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers are obligated to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years. Employees shall also fulfil their responsibilities and maintain close co-operation with employers to comply with all safety measures. Employees who contravene OSH provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The LD reiterates that the concerted efforts of employers and employees are essential for safeguarding the OSH of construction workers and fostering a safety culture. Apart from conducting the SIE, the LD will continue to adopt a multipronged strategy to improve OSH performance in the construction industry and prevent accidents through regular inspections, publicity and promotions, education and training as well as the use of new technologies.
The Labour Department, Photo source: reference image
Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Children's Hospital
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the Hong Kong Children's Hospital (HKCH) today (July 3) to learn about the operations and the latest developments of the hospital's provision of tertiary healthcare services as a Centre of Excellence in Paediatrics.
Accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee; the Director (Quality and Safety) of the HA, Dr Michael Wong; the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central of the HA, Dr Eric Cheung; and the Hospital Chief Executive of the HKCH, Dr Lee Tsz-leung, Professor Lo visited facilities and relevant services including the specialist outpatient clinic (SOPC), the Department of Radiology, operating theatres, and specialist wards.
Professor Lo said, "The HKCH brings together expert teams in various paediatric specialties, advanced medical equipments, and a treatment environment tailored to the unique needs of paediatric patients. Since its commencement of services by phases from late 2018, the HKCH has collaborated with regional hospitals to establish a paediatric service network to provide highly complex tertiary healthcare services that require advanced technology and multidisciplinary expertise, offering advanced treatment for children suffering from severe, complex or uncommon diseases. The HKCH has been continuously expanding paediatric services since its opening. I look forward to the hospital not only continuing to strengthen care for paediatric patients with severe and rare diseases, but also expanding its existing service arrangements to cater for a wider range of paediatric patients and taking up the responsibilities of integrating paediatric services across the HA and training in the future."
During the visit, Professor Lo gained a further understanding of the hospital's specialist outpatient services, which cover over 100 consultation categories across paediatric subspecialties, surgery, and clinical genetics. Dedicated multidisciplinary clinics have been established for patients with complex rare diseases to formulate more co-ordinated and personalised treatment plans. The SOPC also provides one-stop services, arranging follow-up consultations, examinations, and rehabilitation across specialties for patients on the same day where possible.
Professor Lo was also briefed on the hospital's unique services, including paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, heart transplantation, and kidney transplantation, as well as the only paediatric oncology centre and paediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centre in Hong Kong. In recent years, the hospital has introduced and developed numerous advanced medical services, including performing a heart transplant for a 4-month-old baby girl in 2022; administering Hong Kong's first gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy for a 10-month-old baby boy in 2023; operating the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank to provide high-quality and safe donor breast milk to neonatal intensive care units across the territory; and offering a newborn screening programme which covers more than 30 diseases, enabling more newborns to benefit from early detection of serious genetic or rare diseases.
Professor Lo emphasised, "When formulating its future development plans, the HKCH should continue to align with the policy direction as set out in the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address to fully integrate paediatric services across HA clusters, while continuing to expand services, strengthen training for paediatric healthcare talent and promote research and development, thereby supporting the Government's policy direction on developing paediatric services, with a view to enabling the HKCH to fully realise its role as a Centre of Excellence in Paediatrics."
Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Children's Hospital Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Children's Hospital Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
