Working Group for Sha Tau Kok Co-operation Zone holds meeting in Shenzhen

Powering up economic development: sha tau kok co-operation zone working group convenes in shenzhen

​The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the District Mayor of the Yantian District People's Government, Mr Deng Feibo, leading delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen respectively, held the first meeting of the Working Group for Sha Tau Kok (STK) Co-operation Zone under the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy in Shenzhen today (May 24).

At the meeting, the HKSAR Government introduced the latest progress of the opening up of the STK Frontier Closed Area, the progress of the upgrading of the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint and the upcoming plans for promoting the development of cultural tourism in STK under the principle of "low density, high quality". The government of Shenzhen also introduced the latest progress of the development of Shatoujiao in Shenzhen and exchanged views on potential collaboration. After the meeting, both delegations visited Shatoujiao in Shenzhen to learn about the upgrading and transformation plan there.

Mr Yeung said, "STK bears unique historical and cultural origins with rich tourism characteristics. Under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, Shenzhen and Hong Kong governments will actively explore co-operation opportunities,and work together to promote the development of tourism in STK."

In the 2023 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed to explore with the Shenzhen Municipal Government the establishment of an STK Cultural Tourism Zone. In future, the Tourism Commission will, through the Design District Hong Kong (#ddHK) project, introduce more creative tourism elements and integrate STK's history and culture to create more unique itineraries and tourism products. In addition, the Tourism Commission will continue to promote the two "signature itineraries" related to tourism resources in STK under the Deeper into Hong Kong: Creative Itinerary Design Competition, to highlight the tourism characteristics of STK to visitors.

Officials of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting today also included the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, as well as representatives from the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Tourism Commission, the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office of the Development Bureau, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the North District Office, and the Planning Department.

Working Group for Sha Tau Kok Co-operation Zone holds meeting in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Working Group for Sha Tau Kok Co-operation Zone holds meeting in Shenzhen 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.

Source: AI-generated images