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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1975
SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR CARGO HANDLING WORKERS
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED REGULATIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ENSURE GREATER SAFETY OF WORKERS EMPLOYED IN GARGO HANDLING IN DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES,
MOVING THE MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE REGULATIONS THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. JAD PRICE SAID THE INCREASING USE OF MODERN DEVICES AND SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES FOR CARGO HANDLING, INCLUDING CONTAINERISATION, BAD BROUGHT VITI IT NEW SAFETY PRODLEMS THAT REQUIRED SPECIALISED TREATMENT.
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINS (CARGO HANDLING) REGULATIONS 1975 - COMPLEMENTARY TO THE FACTORIES, AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS 1974 - SET OUT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE FOR SAFE ACCESS TO, AND EFFICIENT LIGHTING OF, DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES AS WELL AS FACILITIES FOR RESCUE FROM DACUNING.
TO ENSURE THE WORKERS' SAFETY, THE REGULATIONS ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE, PROTECTION AND USE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WHICH MUST DE INSPECTED DAILY DY A COMPETENT PERSON= THE MAINTENANCE AND USE OF FORK-LIFT TRUCKS- THE SAFE STACKING OR UNSTACKING OF CARGO OR GOODS- AND THE PROUIDITION OF ANY UNAUTHORISED REMOVAL OF SAFETY APPLIANCES OR FENCING.
*THE REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1975 TO ALLOW TIME FOR PROPRIETORS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENT,+ MR. PRICE SAID.
+THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS FOR FIRST AID FACILITIES SIMILAR TO THOSE CONTAINED IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1973 WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON MAY 1, 1974, HE SAID.
*IT IS NECESSARY TO INCLUDE FIRST AID FAGILITIES IN THE REGULATIONS BECAUSE, WHILE CARGO HANDLING AT DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES IS AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, SUCH ACTÍVITIES DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF REGISTRADLE WORKPLACES UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINS ORDINANCE,+ HE POINTED OUT.
*THEREFORE THE FIRST AID IN REGISTRADLE WORKPLACES REGULATIONS WILL NOT APPLY.*
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