XN000022-1973-12-22 — Page 8

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Saturday, December 22, 1973

REGULATIONS TO LIMIT MISSION OF DUST OR GRIT FROM CHIMNEYS

To Come Into Effect In Ten Days

The Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Mr. David Lin, today

reminded fuel users that the new set of regulations to limit the emission

of dust or grit from industrial furnaces, ovens, flues and chimneys will

become effective on January 1, 1974.

The new regulations

-

the Clean Air (Restriction and Measurement

of Smoke Emission) Regulations 1973 - will apply to all premises where

liquid oil, solid fuel, gas, electricity or other fuels are used which

give rise to the emission of dust, grit or smoke.

Mr. Lin said: "If grit and dust emitted from any premises is

found to be in excess of the statutory limit, the occupier will be liable

to a fine of $5,000 plus a daily fine of $50 if the offence continues,"

The regulations also stipulate that an occupier who is given 60

days' notice will have to install specified sampling points on his premises

to enable officers from the Labour Department to take samples of dust or

grit and to measure the density of smoke. The occupier will also have to ensure

safe access to the sampling points and to keep them in good conditions.

Section five of the regulations forbids the use of liquid fuel, with

a viscosity exceeding 120 seconds Redwood No. 1, unless the occupier has

obtained prior permission from the Commissioner of Labour. "But permission

would only be granted if the Commissioner is satisfied that the use of such

fuel would not result in the emission of dark smoke," Mr. Lin said.

Mr. Lin added that most likely domestic premises and restaurants

would not be affected by section five because the liquid fuels commonly used

on such premises were kerosene, gas or diesel fuel oil, the viscosity of

which was well below 120 seconds Redwood No. 1.

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