Security Bureau responds to enquiries on rescue of Hong Kong resident detained in Southeast Asian country
In response to media enquiries about the progress of cases of Hong Kong residents being detained for illegal work in Southeast Asian countries, the Security Bureau (SB) today (February 2) confirmed that one more Hong Kong resident who had been detained for illegal work in Myanmar has been rescued and smoothly arrived in Thailand. The SB's dedicated task force has been maintaining communication with the Thai authorities and the rescued Hong Kong resident, and will arrange for the individual's return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.
The SB attaches great importance on cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained for illegal work. The Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, led the dedicated task force comprising members from the SB, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department to Bangkok, Thailand last month. They met with senior officials including the Minister of Justice (MoJ) of Thailand, Mr Tawee Sodsong, who is a member of the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, and the heads of the enforcement departments under the MoJ, to follow up on related cases. Meanwhile, the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, also met and maintained communication with the Consuls-General of Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia in Hong Kong.
In addition, members of the dedicated task force were sent again to Thailand in late January to co-ordinate with various units, and held meetings with the Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, Mr Phanthana Nutchanart, and the Director of Special Investigation and the Director of Human Trafficking under the MoJ of Thailand, with a view to arranging the return of the rescued Hong Kong resident as soon as possible. They will continue to actively assist and follow up on all relevant request-for-assistance cases of Hong Kong residents who have yet to return, striving for their return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.
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 13) 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.
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