!
5 -
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1976
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 1
******
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS) REGULATIONS, 1976 APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THREE MONTHS AGO COME INTO FORCE ON JULY 1.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS. 300 MOK SAU-HA STRESSED THE NEED FOR PROPRIETORS TO OBSERVE THESE REGULATIONS STRICTLY BECAUSE THE RAPID VAPOURIZATION OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN THE SPRAYING PROCESS COULD CREATE A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CONCENTRATION OF GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
UNCONTROLLED SPRAYING OF FLAMMAELE LIQUID WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 300 ACCIDENTS - 22 FATAL - IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SHE SAID, AND THERE WERE FIVE LARGE FIRES RESULTING FROM SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS DURING THE LAST FIVE MONTHS OF 1975.
TO HELP PROPRIETORS COMPLY WITH THEIR NEW OBLIGATIONS THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED A FREE GUIDE TO THESE REGULATIONS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE WORKERS.
THE REGULATIONS COVER NOT ONLY THE SPRAYING OF PAINT BUT ALSO THE SPRAYING OF OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS THINNERS, VARNISHES, LACQUERS, SEALING COMPOUNDS AND PETROLEUM BASED ADHESIVES.
THE CONTROLS SET OUT IN THEN INCLUDED:
* THE SEGREGATION OF THE SPRAYING AREA FROM OTHER
PARTS OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING=
*
THE PROVISION OF AN EFFICIENT VENTILATION SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CONCENTRATION OF FLAMMABLE VAPOURS IN THE SPRAYING AREA=
*
THE PROHIBITION OF SMOKING OR THE USE OF A NAKED FLAME WITHIN 20 FEET OF ANY SPRAYING AREA- AND
THE IMPOSITION OF STANDARDS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT TO AVOID SPARKS IGNITING A FLAMMABLE ATMOSPHERE.
THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE STORED.
16 .....