WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1977
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REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS' EYES'
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EMPLOYERS IN FUTURE WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SUITABLE PROTECTION FOR THE EYES OF WORKERS IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES UNDER NEW REGULATIONS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE NEW LAW, WHICH CARRIES WITH IT A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 FOR AN EMPLOYER AND $2,000 FOR AN EMPLOYEE FOR ANY BREACHES, REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO KEEP PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN GOOD CONDITION AND WORKERS TO REPORT ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR DEFECT OF THE EQUIPMENT.
BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE EQUIPMENT PROVIDED IS PROPERLY AND FULLY USED.
IN MOVING THE MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW LEGISLATION THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EYES) REGULATIONS 1977-- THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE SAID THAT ACCIDENTS TO EYES WERE ALL TOO FREQUENT, AND IN RECENT YEARS THE NUMBER OF WORKERS WHO HAD RECEIVED EYE INJURIES IN THE COURSE OF THE IR EMPLOYMENT HAD RISEN ANNUALLY BY ABOUT 12 PER CENT FROM 600 IN 1973 TO 836 IN 1976.
SAID MR. PRICE: +FORTUNATELY NONE OF THESE WERE FATAL.
+HOWEVER, ANY EYE UNPLEASANT, AND SEVERE
INJURY, EVEN A TRIVIAL ONE, IS HIGHLY INJURY TO BOTH EYES CAN RESULT IN A 100
PER CENT LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY.
+ IT WAS WITH THESE FACTORS IN MIND THAT I DECIDED TO MAKE THESE REGULATIONS TC REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE PROTECTION FOR THE EYES OF WORKERS IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES KNOWN TO BE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS TO THE EYES, HE SAID.
MR. PRICE ADDED THAT APPROVED SPECIFICATIONS FOR EYE PROTECTORS, EYE SHIELDS AND FIXED SHIELDS WILL SOON BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. THESE SPECIFICATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT 90 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION.
IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION, THE HON. JAMES WU FELT THAT THE MESSAGE OF THE REGULATIONS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE SHOP-FLOOR FOR THE CONSTANT ATTENTION AND REMINDER OF BOTH THE MANAGEMENT AND IN PARTICULAR, THE WORKERS, BY THE USE OF COLOURFUL POSTERS.
HE SAID EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT ALL TOO OFTEN, WORKERS DID NOT BOTHER TO USE OR WEAR PROTECTIVE GEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO THEM, THEREBY RESULTING IN TRAGIC ACCIDENTS THAT COULD NEVER BE REMEDIED.
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