WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1978
SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION SITES
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CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE BETTER SAFETY MEASURES FOR THE IR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN OPERATING LIFTING APPLIANCES AND EXCAVATIONS.
IN A MOTION SEEKING AMENDMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1978 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO REMEDY CERTAIN DEFICIENCES IN THE ORIGINAL REGULATIONS WHICH HAD COME TO LIGHT IN THE COURSE OF THEIR ENFORCEMENT, AND TO TIDY UP SOME OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS.
AMONG THE AMENDMENTS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW DEFINITION FOR A SUSPENDED SCAFFOLD+.
+THIS WOULD NOW MEAN A PLATFORM, CRADLE OR SIMILAR STRUCTURE SUSPENDED BY ROPES OR CHAINS AND CAPABLE OF BEING RAISED OR LOWERED, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE A BOATSWAIN'S CHAIR OR SIMILAR APPLIANCE, + MR. HENDERSON SAID.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT FOR CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT A LIFTING APPLIANCE IS NOT USED UNLESS IT IS ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED AND SECURED TO TAKE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS WHEN MORE THAN ONE LIFTING APPLIANCE IS USED FOR TANDEM LIFTS OR WHEN MULTIPLE SLINGS ARE USED OR WHEN SUITABLY DESIGNED POWER DRIVEN LIFTING APPLIANCES ARE USED TO CARRY PEOPLE.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT CONTRACTORS WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF ANY EMERGENCY FOR WORKMEN EMPLOYED IN EXCAVATIONS, SHAFTS, PITS OR TUNNELS, AND TO PROVIDE SUITABLE SAFETY MEASURES AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT WHERE WORKMEN EMPLOYED ON SITES ADJACENT TO WATER ARE EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF DROWNING.
MR. HENDERSON STRESSED THAT THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOR WORKERS TO WEAR SAFETY HELMETS IS ALSO EXTENDED TO COVER ANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY ENTER A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
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