New FEHD enforcement operation "CLEARSKY" tackles dripping air conditioners

Clearing the skies: fehd crackdown on dripping air conditioners

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (May 20) that the department has launched a pilot enforcement operation, codenamed "CLEARSKY", across various districts in the recent days. The operation has achieved significant results by proactively enhancing inspections to target buildings with dripping air conditioners, complemented by education and publicity efforts.

From May 3 to 16, the FEHD conducted a number of large-scale operations in the Eastern, Central and Western, Yau Tsim, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long Districts. The FEHD inspected a total of 64 private buildings and housing estates in these districts and issued 182 nuisance notices to owners or occupiers of premises with dripping air conditioners that caused environmental hygiene nuisances, requiring them to abate the nuisances within a specified period. During the operations, FEHD staff also distributed promotional leaflets to occupiers of 139 flats and reminded them to take proactive measures to prevent air conditioners from dripping.

The spokesman said, "Operation 'CLEARSKY' adopts a new enforcement mode. Rather than handling problems at individual flats, the FEHD identified buildings in districts with frequent dripping air conditioners according to past experience and records. Enhanced inspections are carried out proactively to the target buildings, and enforcement actions are taken on a number of flats with water dripping in the same building simultaneously. These efforts aim to enhance the effectiveness and mitigate the nuisance caused to the public."

The operation is planned before the onset of summer. The FEHD first conducted a territory-wide publicity and education work from April 26 to May 2. This included distributing promotional leaflets with property management agents and local community members, as well as displaying posters and banners to remind the public to properly address the issue of dripping air conditioners and not to cause nuisance to others. Enforcement actions were then launched on May 3.

The spokesman said, "The FEHD will later assess the effectiveness of the pilot enforcement operation, and consider extending the operation to other suitable districts and buildings with more serious dripping problems."

In accordance with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), if a person allows his air conditioner to discharge water in such a manner as to be a hygiene nuisance to others, the FEHD may issue a Nuisance Notice to require him toabatethe nuisance within a specified period. A person who fails to comply shall be guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $10,000, as well as a daily fine of $200 as long as the nuisance continues.

The spokesman calls on members of the public to check their air conditioners regularly. If water dripping is detected, they should expeditiously repair them and not cause nuisance to others, or affect public health and environmental hygiene. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/CheckMaintainAC.pdf).

New FEHD enforcement operation "CLEARSKY" tackles dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New FEHD enforcement operation "CLEARSKY" tackles dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New FEHD enforcement operation "CLEARSKY" tackles dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorm

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (July 27) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

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