FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1980
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MR KWAN STRESSED THAT DURING THE INITIAL STAGE HIS AIM WAS TO ENSURE THAT ALL TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS WERE PROPERLY ATTENDED TO, AND TO SPEED UP THE HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. HE INVITED THE PUBLIC TO WRITE, TELEPHONE OR COMPLAIN IN PERSON TO THE UNIT OR PUT THEIR COMPLAINTS OR SUGGESTIONS THROUGH CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREAS OR DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FOR THE TIME BEING, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT WILL OPERATE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT GUARDIAN HOUSE (HOTLINE 5-731919). HOWEVER, IT IS INTENDED THAT IT WILL SET UP ITS OWN OFFICE ELSEWHERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND ONCE SUITABLE OFFICE SPACE CAN BE FOUND.
NEW REGULATIONS ON COMPRESSED GAS USE *****
NEW REGULATIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE USE OF COMPRESSED GASES IN HONG KONG.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) REGULATIONS ALREADY PROVIDE FOR THE LICENCING OF THE STORAGE OF COMPRESSED GASES.
UNDER AMENDED REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE LICENCING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ANY PIPELINE USED FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF GAS FROM A STORE TO ANY PART OF THE PREMISES IN WHICH THE STORE IS SITUATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICANTS FOR LICENCES TO STORE COMPRESSED GAS IN CYLINDERS OR LIQUEFIED GAS IN BULK WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PLANS SHOWING THE ROUTING AND METHOD OF FIXING ANY PIPELINE TO BE INSTALLED. PLANS SUBMITTED WILL ALSO HAVE TO INCLUDE DETAILS OF THE DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PIPELINE AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT TO BE CONSTRUCTED.
OPERATORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN PIPELINES IN GOOD ORDER AND CONDITION AT ALL TIMES, TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, AND NO ALTERATIONS OR ADDITIONS WILL BE PERMITTED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR.
THE OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO REVIEW THE PENALTY FOR MAKING UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO ALL DANGEROUS GOODS STORES, THEIR FITTINGS, EQUIPMENT AND PIPELINES. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WILL BE RAISED FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF A FINE OF $2 000 AND ONE MONTH'S IMPRISONMENT, TO A FINE OF $8 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
IN ORDER TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE INDUSTRY TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDED REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO OPERATION ON MARCH 1, 1981.
HE ADDED THAT ALL LICENCEES OF EXISTING STORES WOULD BE INFORMED INDIVIDUALLY OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.