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 (July 7) 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
London ETO supports Musicus Society and English Chamber Orchestra's Hong Kong-London cross-cultural collaboration in UK
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) supported Musicus Society's cultural exchange tour in partnership with the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO), which took place from July 1 to 6 (London time).
The tour brought together ten talented Hong Kong students aged 12 to 21 for a week of enriching musical learning and cultural exchange activities in London. During their stay, the students participated in a range of activities, including a joint string ensemble with students from the United Kingdom (UK) at St. Paul's Church, professional coaching sessions led by musicians from the ECO, and visits to renowned cultural venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal College of Music Museum.
The highlight of the tour was a public concert at the historic St. Paul's Church at Covent Garden, London in the evening of July 5(London time). The performance featured a joint string ensemble comprising the ten Hong Kong students from Musicus Society and 11 students from the UK, under the guidance of professional musicians from the ECO. Around 150 guests attended the concert, which presented a programme featuring iconic works by renowned composers such as Bach, Holst and Mozart.
The Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, addressed the audience at the public concert. She said, "We are delighted to support Musicus Society's cultural exchange tour in the UK. The tour provides our young musicians with valuable international learning opportunities, enabling them to perform alongside their counterparts in the UK and build lasting friendships through music. It also serves to strengthen the cultural ties between Hong Kong and the UK."
"Such exchanges showcase Hong Kong's East-meets-West character and its vibrant cultural landscape. By embracing international collaboration and nurturing home-grown talents, Hong Kong is well-positioned to emerge as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, in line with the vision set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan," she said.
Founded in 2010, Musicus Society is a registered charity in Hong Kong dedicated to promoting cross-cultural collaboration of music internationally through performances and the nurturing of the next generation of talent.
London ETO supports Musicus Society and English Chamber Orchestra's Hong Kong-London cross-cultural collaboration in UK Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
London ETO supports Musicus Society and English Chamber Orchestra's Hong Kong-London cross-cultural collaboration in UK Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
London ETO supports Musicus Society and English Chamber Orchestra's Hong Kong-London cross-cultural collaboration in UK Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
