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 31) 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
LD reminds contractors to ensure scaffolding safety during tropical cyclone season
With the approach of the tropical cyclone season, the Labour Department (LD) today (July 31) reminds contractors and site management that they must implement appropriate measures to ensure the stability of scaffolding before the hoisting of tropical cyclone warning signals and after their cancellation, thereby safeguarding the safety of workers.
Contractors and site management shall assess the potential risks of scaffolds collapse and implement appropriate precautionary measures as soon as possible before the approach of tropical cyclones. A competent person appointed to carry out inspection and assessment of the structural safety of scaffolds must perform due professional responsibility by inspecting the scaffolds for any defects, and whether they have sufficient strength and stability to withstand strong winds, as well as making a report in a statement to the effect that the scaffolds are in safe working order according to the requirements of the law.
During adverse weather conditions, contractors shall immediately cease work on the scaffolds and arrange for workers to take shelter in a safe place. After adverse weather has passed, contractors and site management shall also inspect the structural safety of the scaffolds and conduct necessary remedial measures to ensure that the scaffolds are stable and safe before use.
Before the approach of tropical cyclones
Before adverse weather, contractors and site management shall ensure that scaffolds have adequate structural strength and stability and take necessary precautions to prevent the scaffolds from collapsing during adverse weather. The precautions include, but are not limited to, the following measures:
(i) Close attention should be paid to weather forecasts issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. Before adverse weather such as tropical cyclones or strong winds, a competent person should be appointed to carry out a thorough inspection of scaffolds and assess whether the number and strength of the typing-in/supporting components connecting the scaffolds to external walls, like putlogs, struts, rakers, bracings, ties and steel support frames, are sufficient. Improvement or enhancement measures should be carried out on the scaffolds as required; and
(ii) Before the onset of tropical cyclones or strong winds, protective screens or canvas of scaffolding should also be lowered and properly tied up or dismantled, with materials kept on the scaffolds removed.
After the passage of tropical cyclones
After scaffolds have been exposed to weather conditions that may have affected their strength or stability or displaced any part of the scaffolds, contractors and site management shall arrange for a competent person to inspect the strength and stability of the scaffolds again and ensure that they are in safe working order before use.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
A competent person appointed to carry out inspection and assessment of the structural safety of scaffolds who delivers to a contractor any false certificate or report is liable to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for 12 months.
Source: AI-found images
