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.
Source: AI-found images
EDB holds Experience Day on Other Languages
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 11) held the "Other Languages Experience Day: Learn. Showcase. Connect.", enabling students participating in the Pilot Scheme on Other Languages for Junior Secondary Students, funded by the Quality Education Fund, to showcase their learning achievements from the past school year through a variety of interactive booth games. The event also provided an opportunity for participants to engage with different languages in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and experience together the joy of language learning.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that the Experience Day offers a platform for peer learning and mutual enrichment. Through diversified activities, it allows participants to experience the characteristics and appeal of various languages, thereby fostering respect and appreciation for cultural diversity.
Dr Choi said that the EDB remains committed to providing all-round support for schools to cultivate a rich language learning environment for students. She hopes that students can build on their strong foundation in biliterate and trilingual abilities to actively pursue opportunities for learning different languages. By equipping themselves well, they will become a new generation with a global vision who are rooted in Hong Kong and possess a deep sense of national identity.
Following the announcement by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address 2024, the EDB launched the Pilot Scheme on Other Languages for Junior Secondary Students in January last year, inviting all publicly-funded secondary schools (including special schools) offering the local junior secondary curriculum to apply for funding to provide junior secondary students with opportunities to learn other languages, with a view to cultivating an interest in learning, developing multilingual capabilities and thereby enhancing Hong Kong's international competitiveness.
The languages covered by the pilot scheme include Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. In the 2025/26 school year, over 170 schools participated in the pilot scheme, with each school receiving a one-off funding of $250,000 to provide designated courses in other languages for their junior secondary students.
EDB holds Experience Day on Other Languages Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
EDB holds Experience Day on Other Languages Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
EDB holds Experience Day on Other Languages Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
