Wednesday, May 24, 1972
4
On the question of supervisory powers over work carried out on
vessels or other floating objects in Colony waters, the finding of the
Commission is that there is considerable doubt as to how far the
jurisdiction and powers of the Fire Services, Marine and Labour Departments
extend to matters of industrial safety in undertakings located on water.
The not result, the Commission notes, was that no Government
department took action with regard to the conditions existing on the Jumbo.
The Commission believes "it is desirable that some Government
Departments should clearly be made responsible to take an overall interest
in work proccoding on vessels outside a registered shipyard" and that
"such interest should extend generally to the safety of working conditions
and practices and the precautions to be taken against fire and means of
escape."
Responsibility
The Commission recommends that the Director of Marine should be
given overall responsibility for the safety of working conditions on
ships and floating structures building or under repair or renovation
in the waters of the Colony.
The Commission is satisfied that such matters would be most
conveniently dealt with by the Marine Department, and recommends that
legislation be passed to give the Director of Marine the appropriate
powers of enforcement.
:
With regards