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 15) 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
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today
The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council jointly held the Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event today (August 14). The event aimed to promote the effective use of Hong Kong's international trade platform by Chinese Mainland premium agricultural products to expand into overseas markets. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Zhang Yong; the Director-General of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Peng Tingjun; and the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the event. Around 250 representatives from Mainland provincial and regional governments, enterprises, and Hong Kong industry professionals also attended.
In his address, Mr Chan said that for premium agricultural and food products to successfully expand into overseas markets, they require an efficient international trade platform, professional marketing services, and seamless alignment with international standards, all of which are precisely Hong Kong's strengths. He added that Hong Kong serves not only as a "super connector" between the nation and the global market, but also as a "super value-adder" that creates value for enterprises. By utilising Hong Kong as a platform to "go global", enterprises can achieve a multiplier effect, sparing them from having to build their presence in overseas markets from afresh.
Mr Tse noted that the Mainland has long been Hong Kong's primary source of fresh food, establishing a deep foundation for co-operation between both sides. He hoped that the matchmaking event would help Mainland enterprises connect with overseas buyers and sales channels, facilitating the transition of more premium agricultural products and food from "supplying to Hong Kong" to "going global via Hong Kong." Now in its fourth year, the matchmaking event marks the EEB's debut as a co-organiser, further underscoring Hong Kong's positioning as a food hub. This year's event set records for both scale and outcomes, fully reflecting the immense potential of the global food market and reaffirming the wide recognition of Hong Kong's role as a "super connector".
The EEB signed Memoranda of Understanding on agricultural and food products co-operation with representatives from Hunan Province, Xizang Autonomous Region and Shandong Province, deepening ties between Hong Kong and the three places. The scope covers facilitating market entry for premium products, enhancing industry and business exchanges, and collectively exploring overseas markets. This marks the first time for the HKSAR Government to sign agreements of this nature with provincial-level governments.
In addition, the EEB premiered a promotional video at the event highlighting the advantages and development potential of Hong Kong's food industry. The promotional video has been uploaded to the EEB's website (www.eeb.gov.hk/food/en) and will also be broadcast at local and overseas economic and trade promotion events to further promote the "Food from Hong Kong" brand and the status of Hong Kong as a food hub.
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Chinese Mainland Premium Agricultural Products "Going Global" Exchange and Matchmaking Event held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
