EMPLOYMENT
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 is subject to initial and periodic inspections by qualified engineers who are on the list of approved examiners.
The division conducts regular spot checks to ensure pressure equipment meets-the required safety standards; investigates accidents involving pressure equipment; and conducts examinations for the issue of certificates of competency to boiler and steam receiver attendants. In October, a new computer system was installed to provide a more efficient service to the industry.
Under the Gasholders Examination Ordinance, the division approves the design of gasholders and carries out inspections during construction, and annually thereafter.
The division also provides technical advice to the Fire Services Department on the approval and initial inspections of pressurised containers and storage installations for compressed gases under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance.
During the year, the division processed 2616 equipment registration applications, inspected 4 085 factories and 4 904 items of pressure equipment, and issued 264 certificates of competency and endorsements. 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. Twelve safety training courses were conducted for operators.
The Pressure Equipment Advisory Committee advises the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Authority (currently the Commissioner for Labour) on the effective control of pressure equipment. During 1994, the authority issued four sets of codes of practice for pressure equipment owners, thermal oil heaters, steam receivers and fossil-fuel boilers.
Occupational Health and Hygiene
The Occupational Health Division of the department 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 the workplace, and complements the Factory Inspectorate Division in supervising health standards and practices in industry.
The division has published a series of booklets and codes of practice on occupational health and the prevention of occupational diseases. During the year, its staff continued their ongoing programme of occupational health promotion and educational activities.
A major responsibility of the division is to investigate notified occupational diseases and potential health hazards reported by the Factory Inspectorate and to determine preventive
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