WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1990
17
"IN LARGE MEASURE THE PROVISIONS OF THE GAS SAFETY LEGISLATION WILL GIVE LEGISLATIVE BACKING TO THE MEASURES ALREADY ADOPTED BY THE LOCAL GAS INDUSTRY AND ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION, MRS CHAN SAID.
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THE LEGISLATION HAD BEEN WIDELY CIRCULATED IN DRAFT FORM то INTERESTED BODIES OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT SUCH AS THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
IT HAD ALSO BEEN THE SUBJECT OF LINE BY LINE CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL GAS INDUSTRY.
"THIS CONSULTATION AND THE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE GAINED SINCE 1982 IN IMPROVING GAS SAFETY HAS RESULTED IN LEGISLATION WHICH IS TAILOR-MADE TO LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
"FURTHERMORE, AS A RESULT OF MEASURES INSTIGATED
AND OVERSEEN
BY THE GAS STANDARDS OFFICE SUCH AS THE DRAWING UP OF CODES OF PRACTICE AND THE TRAINING OF LPG INSTALLERS, THE FUEL GAS INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IS NOW GEARED UP TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS WIDE RANGING LEGISLATION, WHICH REPRESENTS A MAJOR ADVANCE FOR GAS SAFETY IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE MAIN PROVISIONS INCLUDED THE APPOINTMENT OF A PUBLIC OFFICER AS THE GAS OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LEGISLATION.
OF THE BILL AUTHORITY TO
A GAS SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR TO ADVISE
THE GAS AUTHORITY ON MATTERS RELATING TO FUEL GAS SAFETY.
THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO BE CHAIRED BY THE GAS AUTHORITY AND TO COMPRISE MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT PUBLIC OFFICERS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"THE DETAILED TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND REGISTRATION SCHEMES NECESSARY TO ENSURE FUEL GAS SAFETY WILL BE CONTAINED IN REGULATIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"POWERS TO MAKE THE REQUIRED REGULATIONS ARE BILL, SHE SAID.
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MRS CHAN SAID SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS PREPARED AND APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE EXECUTIVE VIEW TO IMPLEMENTATION AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
SET OUT IN THE
HAD ALREADY BEEN COUNCIL, WITH A
THESE REGULATIONS PROVIDED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FUEL GASES:
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ON THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION,
OPERATION
AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES, VEHICLES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT USED IN RELATION TO THE SUPPLY OF FUEL GASES;
REGISTRATION SCHEMES FOR GAS SUPPLY CONTRACTORS AND GAS INSTALLERS;
COMPANIES,
GAS
/- SAFETY REQUIREMENTS