Noise pollution is a major concern in Hong Kong workplaces. The F&IU Ordinance requires employers to assess and control noise levels to protect workers’ health. Businesses must regularly monitor noise, especially in noisy areas, to prevent hearing damage and health risks. Employers must take action if noise exceeds safe limits and protect workers from harmful exposure.
Who Needs to Conduct Noise Assessments
The F&IU Ordinance requires employers in factories, construction sites, industrial workplaces, and other noisy environments to regularly assess noise levels. This applies to any workplace where noise exceeds the safe limits set by the Hong Kong Labour Department. Regular noise assessments help employers identify dangerous areas, take action to control noise, and meet legal safety requirements, ensuring a safer and healthier workplace for all employees.
Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (F&IU) Ordinance in Hong Kong, employers who fail to provide regular noise assessments or fail to comply with noise control regulations may face the following penalties:
- Fines:
An employer who fails to comply with the noise assessment requirements or does not take appropriate action to control excessive noise may face a fine of up to HK$200,000. - Imprisonment:
In serious cases of non-compliance or if the employer is found to be neglecting their duties, individuals can face imprisonment for up to 6 months. - Additional Penalties for Employees’ Health:
If a worker is injured or suffers health damage (e.g., hearing loss) due to the employer’s failure to assess or control noise levels, the employer could face further legal action and additional penalties, including compensation claims.
These penalties highlight the importance of complying with the noise control and assessment requirements set out in the F&IU Ordinance to ensure the safety and well-being of workers.
Reference:
– Labour Department – Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Chapter 59
– FIUNR.pdf (labour.gov.hk)
噪音污染在香港的工作場所是一個嚴重問題。《工廠及工業經營條例》要求雇主評估並控制噪音水平，保護員工健康。法律規定企業需定期監測噪音，尤其是在高噪音環境中，以防聽力損害和其他健康風險。若噪音超過安全限度，雇主需採取措施，避免員工長期暴露於有害噪音。
誰需要進行噪音評估
《工廠及工業經營條例》要求所有在工業經營、工廠、建築工地及任何其他噪音較大的工作環境中的雇主，定期進行噪音評估。這包括任何員工暴露於超過香港勞工處所設安全噪音限度的工作場所。定期的噪音評估有助於雇主識別危險區域，實施必要的控制措施，並遵守法律安全標準，確保為所有員工創造更安全、更健康的工作環境。
根據《工廠及工業經營條例》（F&IU條例），未能提供定期噪音評估的雇主，或未能遵守噪音控制規定，可能會面臨以下處罰：
- 罰款：
如果雇主未能遵守噪音評估要求，或未採取適當措施控制過高噪音，可能會被罰款，最高可達 港幣200,000元。 - 監禁：
在嚴重違規的情況下，或雇主被發現忽視其責任，個別負責人可被判處 最多6個月 監禁。 - 對員工健康的額外處罰：
如果員工因雇主未能評估或控制噪音水平而受到傷害或健康損害（例如聽力損失），雇主可能面臨進一步的法律行動及額外處罰，包括賠償要求。
這些處罰強調了遵守《工廠及工業經營條例》中噪音控制和評估要求的重要性，以確保員工的安全和健康。
Reference:
– 勞工處 – 工廠及工業經營條例（香港法例第 59 章） (labour.gov.hk)
– FIUNR.pdf (labour.gov.hk)