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 (May 3) 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 by Bastille Post
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience
The Yim Tin Bridge and the Po Chue Tam Bridge (the Twin Bridges) linking the riverbanks of Tai O will open to the public from 9am tomorrow (May 4). The Twin Bridges are movable footbridges located at Lung Shing Street and Kat Hing Back Street respectively. Their commissioning will strengthen connectivity across riverbanks, improve the pedestrian network in the area, and enhance travel convenience for residents and visitors.
The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, attended the opening ceremony for the Twin Bridges today (May 3).
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Linn said that the completion of the Tai O Twin Bridges opens a new chapter for the co-existence of development and conservation in Tai O. The Twin Bridges connect the two riverbanks and are movable, designed to cater for the Dragon Boat Water Parade, a national intangible cultural heritage item. The project strikes a balance between connectivity in the region and cultural traditions. While enhancing infrastructure, it preserves the unique historical and cultural charm of Tai O. The Twin Bridges have become a new landmark fostering community connections and injecting new vitality into Tai O, demonstrating the principle of "integrating development into conservation,and sustaining culture alongside development".
The Yim Tin Bridge is Hong Kong's first retractable bridge, mimicking the characteristics of Tai O's "hand-pulled ferry" in the past, while the Po Chue Tam Bridge adopts a rotational design that harmonises with the setting of the nearby Yeung Hau Temple and showcases cultural conservation. Through public engagement, the project collected design concepts and integrated Tai O's distinctive characteristics into the bridge designs, balancing practical function with local culture.
The Yim Tin Bridge and the Po Chue Tam Bridge were constructed by the Civil Engineering and Development Department. They are the core facilities under the project "Improvement Works at Tai O – Phase 2, Stage 2". The project will comprehensively enhance community facilities in Tai O. Other works include repaving the open space in front of the Yeung Hau Temple, which has already been completed, to enhance the overall environment of this declared monument; an amphitheatre-cum-open space at Yim Tin to provide diversified community leisure and performance spaces; and additional public parking spaces on Lung Shing Street to meet parking demand, these facilities are expected to open later this year.
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Tai O Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge to open tomorrow linking both riverbanks and enhancing travel convenience Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
