A 35-year-old British Man Broke down 10 Self-service Check-in Machines at Hong Kong International Airport and was Arrested for Criminal Damage

A 20-second video went viral online on the morning of February 16th, showing a bald foreign man causing a disturbance at Hong Kong International Airport. He pushed over self-service check-in machines at the Departure Hall and even used the retractable belt stanchions to smash the fallen machines. The Airport Authority stated that the foreign man had damaged approximately 10 self-service check-in machines, several railings, and counters in the vicinity. The Authority immediately intervened and called the police for assistance. Alternative self-service check-in machines were arranged to be replaced, so that the operations of the airport would not be affected.

Photo source: Screenshot of rednote video

Photo source: Screenshot of rednote video

The Police stated that they received a report around 6:00 a.m. that a foreign man had damaged property at Hong Kong International Airport. According to the preliminary investigations, a 35-year-old British man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

The Airport Authority stated that around 6:00 a.m. this morning, a foreign man caused a disturbance at Aisle J, Departures Level, Terminal 1. After receiving the report, the Airport Authority personnel and security guards immediately arrived at the scene, warned and stopped the man from further damage, and called the police at the same time. The Police subsequently arrived and arrested the man for investigation.

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

The Airport Authority has immediately dispatched personnel to handle the situation and replace the self-service check-in machines. In case, passengers can also use other unaffected check-in machines or do the check-in manually at airline counters. The airport operations have not been affected.

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.

The Labour Department (LD), Photo source: reference image

A spokesman for the LD said today (April 4) 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.

Photo source: reference image