New Commissioner of Customs Appointed as Louise Ho Retires After 33 Years of Service

Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise

​The Central People's Government, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, has approved today (December 31) the appointment of Mr Chan Tsz-tat, formerly Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, as Commissioner of Customs and Excise and the removal of Ms Louise Ho Pui-shan from the post of Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Ms Ho proceeded on pre-retirement leave today after serving the Customs and Excise Department for 33 years.

Commenting on the appointment of Mr Chan, Mr Lee said, "Mr Chan has served in the Customs and Excise Department for 30 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations. He possesses solid management and leadership skills. I am confident that he will lead the Customs and Excise Department in meeting the challenges ahead."

Speaking on Ms Ho who reached the retirement age and proceeded on pre-retirement leave, Mr Lee said, "Since taking up the appointment as Commissioner of Customs and Excise in October 2021, Ms Ho has made sustained efforts in leading the Department with distinguished results on the prevention of smuggling activities, the protection of Government revenue on dutiable goods, the detection and deterrence of narcotics trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, the protection of intellectual property rights and consumer interests and the combat of money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism. During her tenure, she has also been committed to maintaining close collaboration with international and regional partners to uphold the position of Hong Kong as an international trade centre and logistics hub. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Ms Ho for her contribution to the HKSAR and I wish her a happy retirement."

The following are biographical notes of Ms Ho and Mr Chan:

Ms Louise Ho

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Ms Ho joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in February 1991. She was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2010, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2013, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2017 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2019. She took up the Commissioner of Customs and Excise post in October 2021.

Ms Ho has been awarded three Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise's Commendations in 1999, 2003 and 2005 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2009, with the first clasp and second clasp in 2016 and 2021 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service in 2017; and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service in 2022.

Mr Chan Tsz-tat

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Mr Chan joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in August 1994. He was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2015, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2017, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2020 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2022.

Mr Chan has been awarded Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2012, with the first clasp in 2019; and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service in 2023.

Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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

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 (June 6) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as 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 a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an 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 that 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-found images