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 (April 17) 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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HKETO Kuala Lumpur promotes cultural and creative industry exchanges in Malaysia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (HKETO Kuala Lumpur), in collaboration with the Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance, held the "Hong Kong-Malaysia Cultural Exchange and Creative Industry Globalisation Initiative" official launch ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (April 17).
Organised by the Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance and co-organised by the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, and the Sunwah Media Group, the event received full support from the Guangdong Economic and Trade Office in Southeast Asia (Kuala Lumpur) and the Malaysia-China Business Council. Coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the initiative aims to deepen collaboration between the cultural and creative industries of Hong Kong and Malaysia and to promote the integrated development of Chinese and ASEAN cultures.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Director of the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung, said that the global cultural and creative industries generate annual revenues of almost US$ 2.3 trillion, which not only contributes to economic growth, but also showcases and bridges cultures and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Mr Fung also introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's measures to support Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries. These include encouraging the industries to participate in overseas cultural exchanges and promotion, as well as fostering intellectual property co-operation with different regions to stimulate innovation and creativity, thereby consolidating Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Other officiating guests included Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia Mr Samuel Lee; the Minister Counsellor (Commercial Affairs) of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malaysia, Mr Sun Shuqiang; and member of the Standing Committee, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance, and Chairman of the Sunwah Group, Dr Jonathan Choi.
At the launch ceremony, the Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance also signed Memoranda of Understanding with technology enterprises, film and television production companies, and trade associations from Southeast Asian countries to jointly promote the synergistic development of the regional cultural and entertainment industries, and to explore various co-operation models such as joint productions, copyright exchanges, and talent development.
The three-day event is being held from April 17 to 19 at Sunway Velocity Mall in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together outstanding local Hong Kong productions and premium short dramas from the Chinese Mainland to showcase the cultural charm of Chinese Mainland and the HKSAR to Malaysia and other ASEAN countries.
HKETO Kuala Lumpur promotes cultural and creative industry exchanges in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur promotes cultural and creative industry exchanges in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur promotes cultural and creative industry exchanges in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
