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"Studies are in train to examine these problems to see if any new legislation appears to be desirable. I have already stated in this Council, in December last year, that during 1968 efforts would be made to replace by permanent legislation the Illegal Strikes and Lock- outs Ordinance, which at present must be renewed annually.
"Legislation under consideration will seek to deal with problems of strikes and lock-outs which have an object other than, or in addition to, furtherance of a trade dispute in essential services.
"The occurrence of a dispute is usually symptomatic of a breakdown in communication between labour and management staff. Establishment of appropriate con- sultative machinery will not insure against all risks of disputes, but if operated with patience and mutual understanding, will considerably reduce the risks."
Mr. Hetherington announced that considerable preliminary work had been done on a Bill which would require the establishment of consultative machinery in organisations employing more than a prescribed number of workers and whoro inadequate or no alternative methods were practised.
With regard to trade unions, the Commissioner of Labour was co-operating with the Registrar of Trade Unions in considering the revision of certain parts, including those dealing with picketing and intimidation, of the Trade Unions Registration Ordinance, in the light of experience over the past few years and more recently.
On the subject of the health of workers, three measures were being contemplated. Mr. Hotherington hoped shortly to prepare regulations dealing with the provision in larger industrial undertakings of staff trained in first-aid and available to give treatment. He also proposed to specify contents and numbers of first-aid boxes to be provided in every factory.
A Bill and Regulations dealing with the use and control of radioactive substances were under consideration, in co-operation with the Director of Medical and Health Services.
The Commissioner of Labour was also preparing regulations covering precautions in processes involving blasting by abrasives, which could cause serious health hazards to workers and, in the case of outside work, to the general public.
Eight items concerning safety were under examination. One important measure would bring building sites and construction work under effective control by requiring registration and inspection. Another safety measure would introduce Regulations for the safe operations of quarries, involving supervision by competent persons, use of safety equipment and observation of safe practices.
A group of six sets of Regulations were contemplated for other selected industries and for certain types of equipment.
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