XN000022-1972-05-24 — Page 4

Wednesday, May 24, 1972

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On the question of supervisory powers over work carried out on

vessels or other floating objects in Colony waters, the finding of the

Commission is that there is considerable doubt as to how far the

jurisdiction and powers of the Fire Services, Marine and Labour Departments

extend to matters of industrial safety in undertakings located on water.

The not result, the Commission notes, was that no Government

department took action with regard to the conditions existing on the Jumbo.

The Commission believes "it is desirable that some Government

Departments should clearly be made responsible to take an overall interest

in work proccoding on vessels outside a registered shipyard" and that

"such interest should extend generally to the safety of working conditions

and practices and the precautions to be taken against fire and means of

escape."

Responsibility

The Commission recommends that the Director of Marine should be

given overall responsibility for the safety of working conditions on

ships and floating structures building or under repair or renovation

in the waters of the Colony.

The Commission is satisfied that such matters would be most

conveniently dealt with by the Marine Department, and recommends that

legislation be passed to give the Director of Marine the appropriate

powers of enforcement.

:

With regards