Labour Department launches revised "Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms"
The Labour Department (LD) today (February 4) launched the revised "Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms" (GNs) to call on duty holders of workplaces to enhance safety measures in preventing accidents.
In response to accidents involving mobile elevating work platforms at various workplaces in recent years, the LD has revised and renamed the original "Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Power-operated Elevating Work Platforms", incorporating common causes of the accidents and preventative measures. Major revisions include further specifying training requirements for operators, adding new operational requirements such as the installation of effective secondary guarding devices, conducting regular non-destructive tests on critical load-bearing components, and formulating emergency rescue plans. A grace period is provided for the new requirements of operator training and installation of secondary guarding devices until December 31, 2026. The industry must seize this time to make sufficient preparation before the grace period expires.
The LD will strengthen publicity, promotion, and education and training through various channels to help the industry better understand the content of the GNs. These include disseminating relevant information through the LD's website, the "OSH 2.0" mobile application, and the mass media. A new episode of "Work Safety Alert" animation, titled "Trapped between a Mobile Elevating Work Platform and a Sprinkler Pipe", has also been launched, and the relevant content is incorporated into the Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work) (commonly known as the Green Card Course) and free training courses on occupational safety and health legislation organised by the LD.
The GNs can be downloaded from the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/C/EWP.pdf) or by scanning the QR code (Annex). Enquiries on the GNs can be made at 2542 2172.
The Labour Department (LD), Photo source: reference image
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
