Transcript of remarks by SLW on heat stroke at work and OSH Amendments Bill at media session
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Reporter: Mr Sun, how would the Labour Department (LD) update the guidelines following the new extremely hot weather warning? The second question, one worker died in the Anderson Road accident. Apart from introducing the new Bill to the Legislative Council, are there any measures that the Bureau can do to prevent an increasing trend of work accidents?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The new version of the guidance notes on prevention of heat stroke at work will be issued (soon). By the time Hong Kong steps into summer, the guidance notes should be ready and promulgated. In drawing up the new guidance notes, the LD and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) work together closely. We are aware that the HKO is about to provide yet more information about heat, so the two departments will work together closely and explore possible ways to integrate as far as possible any new information into the guidance notes on prevention of heat stroke at work soon to be published by the LD.
On industrial accidents, the Government is extremely concerned about industrial safety. While we are about to resume the Second Reading of the Amendments Bill to increase the penalty levels as well as various measures over occupational safety, we are at the same time putting in as much effort as we could through inspection, education, publicity, etc. The key is to drive home the message of having a safe work site and encouraging workers to pay attention to occupational safety. We believe that, through a multi-pronged approach comprising education, publicity, inspection and of course lastly enforcement, it is the best way for us. The key is to keep it up and put in a sustained effort.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, March 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:53
Issued at HKT 17:53
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