Enhanced guidelines for safe bamboo scaffolding: new code of practice released
The Labour Department (LD) published a revised Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety (CoP) in the Gazette today (April 19) to enhance the safety of bamboo scaffolds in the construction industry.
The major revisions of the CoP include the enhancement of technical requirements for the bracing, putlog and access and egress of bamboo scaffolds; the prohibition to unauthorised alteration of bamboo scaffolds including putlog; and further specifying the requirement of supervising work of competent persons to the bamboo scaffolders who perform erection, substantial addition, alteration or dismantling of bamboo scaffolds, and inspection prior to inclement weather.
A spokesperson for the LD said, "The revised CoP requires all trained workers who perform erection, substantial addition, alteration or dismantling of truss-out bamboo scaffolds should hold a valid certificate of 'Advanced Level Truss-out Scaffolder Safety Training' or 'Intermediate Level Truss-out Scaffolder Safety Training' issued by the Construction Industry Council before performing specified work. Considering the time required for the industry to arrange training to obtain the certificates, there will be a grace period of six months on the effective date of the revised CoP. It will take effect on October 19 to allow the industry to have sufficient time for preparation."
The spokesperson said that the CoP provides construction contractors with practical guidance to comply with the requirements set out in the occupational safety and health legislation regarding bamboo scaffolding work in order to safeguard workers' safety.
The spokesperson added, "This CoP has a special legal status. In criminal proceedings, if a relevant person fails to observe any provision of this Code, that failure may be taken by the court as a relevant factor in determining whether or not a person has breached the relevant safety and health legislation."
The revised CoP can be downloaded from the LD website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8b.htm). Enquiries about the CoP can be made at 2559 2297.
Source: AI-generated images
Beef and beef congee samples found to contain sulphur dioxide
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 6) that two beef samples collected from a licensed food factory in North District were found to contain sulphur dioxide, contravening the provisions on preservative of the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation). The CFS is following up on the incident. The food factory concerned has suspended its business.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to the earlier announcement that a beef congee sample taken from a licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen, was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a follow-up investigation by the CFS revealed that the beef concerned was suspected to be supplied by the licensed food factory mentioned above. The CFS has immediately taken follow-up action and collected beef samples from the relevant food factory for testing. The test results showed that the two beef samples contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 7 700 parts per million (ppm) and 8 300 ppm respectively."
"As instructed by the CFS, the concerned licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen has earlier stopped the sale of the relevant beef congee. The CFS had collected another beef congee sample for follow-up investigation before the restaurant concerned stopped selling the relevant product, and the test result showed that the beef congee sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 540 ppm," the spokesman added.
The CFS has informed the food factory concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop the sale of the products concerned and discard relevant raw materials. During an inspection to the food factory concerned, stains were detected in several areas of the premises, and a gap at the door was found. Prosecution was then initiated to the relevant person; and a Notice of Elimination of Vermin was issued under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) Section 47(1), requiring the person-in-charge of the premises to adopt necessary procedures to remove any items causing rodent infestation within specified time frame, failing which prosecution will be instituted.
According to the Regulation, contravening relevant provisions on preservatives is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Prosecution will be instituted for the violation of the Regulation. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
