XN000022-1975-04-01 — Page 3

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975 ·

2.

NEW INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS NOW IN FORCE

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NEW SAFETY REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS EMPLOYED IN CARGO HANDLING IN DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (APRIL 1).

THE NEW REGULATIONS

-

WHICH CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF

$5,000

- APPLY TO PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, FORK-LIFT TRUCK OWNERS, AND WORKERS ENGAGED IN CARGO HANDLING OPERATIONS AT ANY DOCK, QUAY OR WHARF, THEY, HOWEVER, DO NOT APPLY TO THE SEAWARD SIDE OF CARGO HANDLING, NAMELY USING CRANES OR OTHER LIFTING GEAR ON A SHIP OR LIGHTER.

THEY WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING USE OF MODERN DEVICES AND SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES FOR CARGO HANDLING.

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. LAO MOU-CHI SAID TODAY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CARGO HANDLING) REGULATIONS 1975 ARE ANOTHER IMPORTANT PIECE OF SAFETY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO PROTECT WORKERS.

→THEIR INTRODUCTION SHOULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, HE SAID,

THE REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 22, ALLOWING TIME FOR PROPRIETORS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS,

COMPLEMENTARY TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS 1974, THE NEW REGULATIONS SET OUT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE FOR SAFE ACCESS TO, AND EFFICIENT LIGHTING OF, DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES AS WELL AS FACILITIES FOR RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

UNDER THE REGULATIONS, PROPRIETORS MUST PROVIDE FOR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE, PROTECTION AND USE OF =

X

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WHICH MUST BE INSPECTED DAILY BY A COMPETENT PERSON.

* THE MAINTENANCE AND USE OF FORK-LIFT TRUCKS.

X THE SAFE STACKING OR UNSTACKING OF CARGO OR GOODS,

X THE PROHIBITION OF ANY UNAUTHORISED REMOVAL OF SAFETY

APPLIANCES OR FENCING.

/>THERE ARE ALSO