Labour Department Urges Safety Measures for Electrical Work Amid Hong Kong Rainstorm Warning

2026-08-02 06:10 Last Updated At：06:18

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 (August 2) 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.

Sport For All Day 2026 Promotes Fitness and Celebrates Asian Games in Hong Kong

CE takes part in Sport For All Day 2026 (with photos/video)

The Sport For All Day (SFAD) 2026 was held this afternoon (August 2). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, took part in the activities held at the prime venue at Kowloon Park Sports Centre, conveying to the public the benefits of regular exercise for physical and mental well-being.

With the 20th Asian Games to be held this September, SFAD 2026 was themed "Asian Games in Motion, City in Action", cheering for the Hong Kong athletes participating in the Games.

Joining Mr Lee at the event were the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr George Tsoi; the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Professor Patrick Yung; the Chairman of the Major Sports Events Committee, Mr Wilfred Ng; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Miss Winnie Chui; the District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong), Mr Eric Lee; wushu athlete Juanita Mok; and swimming athlete Adam Mak.

Participating guests enjoyed the wushu performances, the fitness exercise and skateboarding illustrations, virtual football, equestrian and rowing, as well as the handball and floorball fun activities. They also visited the games booth of the Festival of Sport organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC).

Thirteen Principal Officials also showed support to SFAD 2026. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; 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 the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa; the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Acting Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; and the Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, joined the leisure activities at the sports centres in various districts, enjoying the fun of sports and welcoming the Asian Games together with members of the public.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department organises the SFAD every August. This year, leisure facilities were, for the first time, open for free public use for two consecutive days on August 1 and 2. Echoing the event, the SF&OC today held the "69th Festival of Sport - Sport for All Experience Day" at DPARK, Tsuen Wan. A number of supporting organisations also opened their facilities or rolled out leisure programmes for the public free of charge yesterday (August 1) and today.

The SFAD 2026 was co-organised with the SF&OC, the Department of Health, the Sports Medicine Team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Sports Medicine and Health Science Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China and the Sports Association for the Physically Disabled of Hong Kong, China.

Labour Department Urges Safety Measures for Electrical Work Amid Hong Kong Rainstorm Warning

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Labour Department Urges Safety Measures for Electrical Work Amid Hong Kong Rainstorm Warning

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