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 (June 16) 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
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video)
The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, arrived in Hong Kong today (June 16) to conduct an inspection of Hong Kong's alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the advancement of the Northern Metropolis development.
In the morning, Mr Xia visited the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Community Liaison Centre in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. He was briefed on the planning and development of the new development area, particularly on the pilot area of large-scale land disposal in Hung Shui Kiu and the development of the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park. During the visit, Mr Xia was also briefed on the transport planning as well as the construction of the railway and the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in the new development area.
Mr Xia later paid a visit to the Hung Shui Kiu University Town Area to inspect the planning, development vision and latest progress of the Northern Metropolis University Town. He also visited the Light Public Housing on Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, to listen to a briefing on the latest progress of the Light Public Housing projects. He then visited a family of four and had an exchange with them.
Next, Mr Xia visited the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long InnoPark to learn about the innovation and technology industry developments in Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, Mr Xia went to the Kwu Tung North New Development Area to inspect the construction progress of housing, transport, government offices and other ancillary facilities in the area. He later visited the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop to learn about its overall development plan and latest position, as well as the construction progress of the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site. Mr Xia afterwards visited the Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital in the Lok Ma Chau Loop to inspect its operations.
In the evening, Mr Xia visited AsiaWorld-Expo to learn about how Hong Kong transforms mega events into new economic impetus to help the city seize the development opportunities brought about by the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
Officials accompanying the visits included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
Mr Xia will continue his visit to Hong Kong tomorrow (June 17).
Source: AI-found images
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong arrives in Hong Kong for inspection visit (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
