F
EMPLOYMENT
Construction Industry Training Authority in running certificate courses for construction safety officers.
The inspectorate, in conjunction with the Information Services Department, continued its publicity programme for the promotion of industrial safety and health. Four large-scale symposia and conferences were also held on passenger hoist safety, bridge construction safety, scaffolding safety, and chemical safety.
Construction site safety award schemes for the construction industry and the airport core programme were jointly organised by the Labour Department, Housing Department, Marine Department, New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, Provisional Airport Authority, Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Occupational Safety and Health Council, Hong Kong Construction Association Limited and Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union.
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety
The Pressure Equipment Division of the Labour Department administers the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance and the Gasholders Examination Ordinance, to ensure the safe use and operation of all pressure equipment covered by the two ordinances.
The former ordinance stipulates that pressure equipment, including steam boilers, thermal oil heaters, steam receivers, steam containers, air receivers and pressurised cement tanks mounted on trucks or trailers, must be approved by and registered with the division. The equipment must be inspected periodically by qualified engineers who are on the approved list of appointed examiners. The division also investigates accidents involving pressure equipment.
Under the Gasholders Examination Ordinance, the division approves the design of gasholders and carries out inspections during fabrication and repairs, and subsequently conducts annual inspections.
During the year, the division processed 2 297 equipment registration applications, and inspected 3 584 factories and 5 600 items of pressure equipment. It also continued to assist the Haking Wong Technical Institute and the Occupational Safety and Health Council in organising training courses on the safe operation of pressure equipment.
The Pressure Equipment Advisory Committee advises the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Authority, presently the Commissioner for Labour, on the effective control of pressure equipment. The authority has issued a code of practice for appointed examiners, and guidebooks on the safe operation and maintenance of pressure equipment.
The division also provides technical support and advice to the Director of Fire Services on the approval of pressurised containers and storage installations for compressed gases under the provisions of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance. During the year, the division assisted the approval process of 24 934 cylinders for licensing purposes and made 74 site inspections.
Occupational Health and Hygiene
The Occupational Health Division protects workers against health hazards arising from employment. It provides an advisory service to the government and the public on matters concerning the health of workers and the hygiene of workplaces, and complements the Factory Inspectorate Division in supervising health standards and practices in industry.
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