Secretary for Environment and Ecology Visits Shanghai to Promote Green Energy Cooperation

SEE begins visit to Shanghai

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit to Shanghai today (August 17).

Upon his arrival in the afternoon, Mr Tse met with the President of the State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company, Mr Chen Haibo, with leaders of the International Cooperation Department of the State Grid Corporation of China and the State Grid International Development Company Limited also participating. He then visited the Power Dispatching and Control Center of the State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company to learn about Shanghai's latest developments in the monitoring and management of the electricity grid system.

Mr Tse later attended the launching ceremony of the "Green Dreams Come True: HK Electric Green Energy, Innovation, Technology and Cultural Study Tour", organised by the Hongkong Electric Company Limited and supported by the State Grid Corporation of China. During his speech, he pointed out to the teachers and students from Hong Kong at the ceremony that the country has made swift progress in green and low-carbon transition in recent years. Under the 15th Five-Year Plan, the country is accelerating the formation of a new energy system, pursuing proactively the target of reaching carbon emission peak, enhancing the capability to address climate change, improving the quality of the ecological environment, and implementing the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets".

He also shared with the teachers and students the work of the Environment and Ecology Bureau on green and low-carbon transition. It strives to reduce the carbon emissions by half by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, thereby making Hong Kong a low-carbon, green and liveable city.

Mr Tse further stated that Hong Kong's carbon neutrality by 2050 and the country's future development rest in the hands of the younger generation. He encouraged students to seize the opportunity to understand the country's achievements in green and low-carbon development as well as technological innovations, to experience the historical legacies and inheritance of the Chinese culture, to develop aspirations, and to make personal pursuits to become a part of the overall national development.

Mr Tse will continue his visit to Shanghai tomorrow (August 18).

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit to Shanghai today (August 17). Photo shows Mr Tse (back row, fourth left), with participating Hong Kong teachers and students at the launching ceremony of the "Green Dreams Come True: HK Electric Green Energy, Innovation, Technology and Cultural Study Tour", organised by the Hongkong Electric Company Limited and supported by the State Grid Corporation of China. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit to Shanghai today (August 17). Photo shows Mr Tse (centre) speaking at the launching ceremony of the "Green Dreams Come True: HK Electric Green Energy, Innovation, Technology and Cultural Study Tour", organised by the Hongkong Electric Company Limited and supported by the State Grid Corporation of China. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit to Shanghai today (August 17). Photo shows Mr Tse (left) meeting with the President of the State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company, Mr Chen Haibo (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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 (November 14) 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