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 (March 2) 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
Global Talent Summit Week to spotlight integration of education, technology and talent featuring nine satellite events with partners
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) today (March 2) announced details of the international mega talent event, Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week). Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, this year's Summit Week consists of three parts: the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo to be held on March 18 and 19, alongside nine satellite events running over about a week. With a focus on the integration of education, technology and talent, the Summit Week strives to further highlight Hong Kong's role and advantages as an international talent hub and the country's gateway for talent.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, stated, "At a pivotal moment of rapid transformation in the global talent ecosystem, the GTS Week aims to explore forward-looking perspectives on talent development, policies and opportunities, while aligning with the country's development, thereby building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent."
The Forum, under the theme "Connecting Global Minds", will bring together top leaders from government, business and academia from Hong Kong and abroad to discuss future trends and strategies in the manpower landscape. The opening day of the Forum will feature a keynote speech by Professor Christopher A Pissarides, the 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, followed by plenary sessions and dynamic panel discussions with global industry leaders and renowned scholars.
The second day of the Forum will invite international and local partners to explore how talent strategies can enhance Hong Kong's role in the country's development and strengthen regional talent exchanges. A closed-door meeting, titled "Forging a National High-calibre Talent Hub Symposium", will also be held on the same day, with representative officers from Chinese Mainland cities and the Macao Special Administrative Region in attendance to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration and network development for high-calibre talent.
The two-day Expo will feature thematic zones and bring together about 70 large enterprises, education and technology institutions, and government departments. It will provide participants with the latest industry insights and diversified support services, showcasing the boundless opportunities in Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area.
This year's GTS Week connects international, Chinese Mainland and local partners to co-organise a week-long series of nine satellite events on talent and human resources, including regional conferences, recruitment fairs and corporate award ceremonies. By providing a one-stop platform for information and networking with convenient cross-venue participation, the GTS Week seeks to create synergy. During the period, HKTE will sign a collaboration agreement with Junior Chamber International to deepen international promotional co-operation and tell good stories of Hong Kong.
The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage, Mr Felix Chan, expressed the hope that the GTS Week will promote cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration on talent and provide a platform for exchange with various partners that helps talent seize opportunities, understand development pathways in Hong Kong and gain foresight into manpower trends.
Participation in the Forum will be by invitation only. HKTE will arrange live broadcasting for global talent and members of the public to follow the sessions in real time. The Expo will be held from 10am to 5.30pm at Hall 3F, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with free admission. Participants can pre-register via the GTS Week website (gts.hkengage.gov.hk) and present a QR code for entry during the event. Those interested can visit the website or HKTE's social media platforms, or email enquiries to gts@hkengage.gov.hk, for the latest updates.
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) hosted a press conference today (March 2), announcing details of the international mega talent event, Global Talent Summit Week. Photo shows the Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan, introducing the event highlights at the press conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Talent Engage hosted a press conference today (March 2), announcing details of the international mega talent event, Global Talent Summit Week. Photo shows the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, delivering remarks at the press conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) hosted a press conference today (March 2), announcing details of the international mega talent event, Global Talent Summit Week. Photo shows (from left) the Account Delivery Director at DayOne Data Centre, Mr Tony Zhou; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan; and the Partner and Market Development Leader of Consulting at Ernst & Young Advisory Services Limited, Mr Jeff Tang, at the press conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
