Labour Department Urges Safety Measures for Electrical Work Amid Rainstorm Warning

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, Photo source: reference image

A spokesman for the LD said today (Jul 28) 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

Six projects approved in 11th round of Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme

The Secretariat of the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS) announced today (July 29) that the Advisory Committee on Countryside Conservation (ACCC) has approved six CCFS projects, including cultural rehabilitation (CR) projects and research activities (RA) projects, involving a total grant of around $18 million in the latest round of applications.

The two newly approved CR projects seek to promote countryside revitalisation through organising new in-depth cultural and ecotour activities in the Yan Chau Tong area, showcasing the unique cultural assets and green tourism attractions in the area. Another four newly approved RA projects focus on Sha Lo Tung (SLT), including a comprehensive cultural heritage study and three research projects on a hydrological monitoring network, hydromorphological mapping and a hydrological model respectively. These projects will provide scientific data to support water resources management, habitat conservation and biodiversity in SLT, which assist the Government in formulating precise and cost-effective conservation actions, and facilitate the planning of sustainable cultural and ecotourism.

In addition, the tendering exercise for the new round of the Proactive Conservation Project in SLT approved earlier by the ACCC has been completed in accordance with the Government's established procurement and tendering procedures.The project commenced on May 1, 2026, with a view to strengthening the conservation of biodiversity in SLT.

A total of 63 projects, involving an aggregate funding amount of around $358 million, have been approved in the 11 rounds of CCFS applications conducted so far, supporting local non-profit-making organisations' work in promoting different aspects of countryside conservation and revitalisation in areas such as natural ecology, non-graded built heritage, as well as cultural and historic assets. All CCFS applications are examined and considered by the ACCC, which is chaired by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology. Details of the approved projects are available on the CCFS webpage (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/conservation/ccfs/ccfs_approved_projects.html).

Source: AI-found images