WEATHER WARNINGS

When the Thunderstorm Warning, Typhoon Signal No.8, and/or Black Rainstorm Warning is hoisted, you should take necessary precautions as follows:

• Stay indoors wherever you are and do not leave the building until the signal is lowered and the condition is safe to do so.
• Stay away from large windows, structures and objects that are vulnerable to strong wind.
• Do not swim or engage in other outdoor water sport activities. Leave water and seek shelter.
• Avoid using plugged-in electrical appliances.
• Do not touch aerials, water pipes, wire fence and similar metal installations.
• Do not handle inflammable materials in open containers.
• Do not stand on hilltops or near any highly conductive object. Keep away from trees or masts that are likely to be struck by lightning.
   

Lightning

Due to the lightning current conducted through the ground, you should not lie down especially when the ground is wet. Instead you should crouch down to minimize the area in contact between you and the ground.

• Drivers using highways and flyovers should be alerted to strong gusts.
• Small boats on the open sea should watch out for the approach of swells or waterspouts.
• You should listen to radio and TV broadcasts for weather updates.
   

Landslides

About three to four hundred landslides are reported each year, mostly in the rainy summer season. Occasionally, severe landslides can cause casualties, damage properties and block roads.

Landslide warnings will be issued (by the Hong Kong Observatory in consultation with the Geotechnical Engineering Office) based on the latest weather information.

• When the landslide warning is issued, local radio and television stations are notified and are requested to broadcast the warning to the public at regular intervals, together with advice on precautions that should be taken. You can also obtain the latest weather warning at the Hong Kong Observatory website.
• When the Landslide Warning is in force, you should cancel non-essential appointments; stay at home or in a safe shelter. Avoid walking or standing close to steep slopes and retaining walls.
• If you receive a notice to evacuate because of landslide danger, or if you believe that your home is endangered by an unstable slope or retaining wall, or overhanging boulders, you should make immediate arrangements to move to a safe shelter.
• Once the Landslide Warning is issued, temporary shelters will be provided by the Home Affairs Department (HAD). If necessary, you may call the HAD Emergency Hotline at 2835 1473 to locate the temporary shelter nearest to you.
   

Hong Kong Observatory Warnings: Definitions and Meanings

Observatory warnings are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory to the public through television, radio, and the Internet during adverse weather conditions. Please find the definitions and meanings of the warnings here.

During times of severe weather, classes and exams may be affected. For details, refer to the section on Academic Life.

LAB SAFETY

Many accidents that occur here are preventable. Remember to observe safety rules and exercise care under all circumstances. All students taking courses that require the use of laboratory facilities and machinery must abide by strict laboratory safety guidelines.

Health, Safety and Environment Office

Health, Safety and Environment Office operates a safety training module catered to individual departments. You will learn more about your safety training requirements through your departments.

All informational aspects on personal and environmental safety are disseminated through the Health, Safety and Environment Office. To find out more about the safety and environmental policies and procedures at HKUST, please visit the Health, Safety and Environment Office website.

DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE CAMPUS

The University is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and open campus environment in which HKUST members including students are treated with fairness, presented with equality of opportunities, with diversity valued and respected. The University opposes, and will proactively challenge and eliminate, any form of discrimination and harassment, preju dices and biases to ensure a level playing field, regardless of any individual characteristics.

In a diverse and complex institution, there are inevitably misunderstandings, elements of misinformation and moments of confusion. Students who feel they are unfairly treated or being discriminated/harassed in any way may seek assistance from the supervisor(s), the relevant DEO Resource Person, Residence Master and/or the Hall Tutor.

Magic formula for a happy and enriching life in a diverse community:

• Show respect for others, e.g. using inclusive language
• Be considerate and sensible
• Stay open-minded

Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy

The Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy provides an overview of the University’s commitment in building a welcoming, diverse and discrimination and harassment-free environment while the Procedures for Handling Discrimination/Harassment Complaints set out the definitions of discrimination/harassment and mechanism for dealing with allegations or complaints covered by the anti-discrimination ordinances of Hong Kong.

The Diversity and Equal Opportunities Committee is responsible for overseeing matters concerning equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion; cultivating awareness and enhance education on equal opportunity issues; and handling enquiries and appropriate cases of complaints on discrimination and harassment. For details, please refer to the HKUST Diversity and Equal Opportunities website.