SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1991
41
5
COMPULSORY SAFETY PARTITION FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED OWNERS OF ALL VAN-TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE REGISTERED BEFORE JULY 1, 1990 THAT A PERMANENT PARTITION MUST BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE GOODS COMPARTMENT AND THE SEATING ACCOMMODATION BY JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE LEGISLATION MAKING IT COMPULSORY FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES TO INSTALL THE SAFETY PARTITION CAME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR.
BUT HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD ΤΟ ENSURE THAT OWNERS HAD ADEQUATE TIME TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CONVERSION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PARTITION IS ACTING AS A PROTECTIVE BARRIER AGAINST GOODS IN THE GOODS COMPARTMENT SHIFTING INTO THE SEATING ACCOMMODATION.
THEREFORE, THE HEIGHT, WIDTH, STRENGTH, DESIGN
AND
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARTITION MUST BE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING OR BEARING THE WEIGHT OF ANY LOAD WHICH THE PARTITION IS LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER OR THE VAN IS LIKELY TO CARRY.
HE ADDED THAT THERE MUST NOT BE ANY SIDE WINDOWS IN COMPARTMENT OF ANY VAN.
THE GOODS
"IF OWNERS USE OR PERMIT TO USE A VEHICLE WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE RULES AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE, THEY COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT, HE SAID.
"
HE SAID NEWLY MANUFACTURED VAN-TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WERE INSTALLED WITH SUCH SAFETY PARTITIONS.
HOWEVER, MOST OPERATORS HAVE REMOVED THE PARTITION TO ALLOW FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN USING THE VEHICLE FOR PASSENGER AND GOODS CARRIAGE.
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS
* * *
THE
SHAM
IN
SHUI PO DISTRICT PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CARRIED OUT A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP AT "TARGETTED" BUILDINGS THE DISTRICT TODAY (SATURDAY).
DURING THE EXERCISE, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND RESIDENTS JOINED HANDS TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTING ARTICLES AND RUBBISH FROM FIRE ESCAPES IN ORDER TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARDS.
/A SPOKESMAN