XN000022-1978-01-11 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1978

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GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SELL SITE

OF CENTRAL FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING

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THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION THE SITE NOW OCCUPIED BY THE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING FOR FULL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WHEN IT BECOMES VACANT.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIROMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HOWEVER, MR. JONES SAID, THE SITE WAS UNLIKELY TO BE READY FOR SALE FOR ANOTHER TWO OR THREE YEARS BECAUSE ITS AVAILABILITY DEPENDED ON THE REPROVISIONING OF THE CENTRAL FIRE STATION.

ENCOURAGING SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

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THE NUMBER OF WORKERS KILLED IN FALLS FROM HIGH WORKING PLACES WAS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND A GREAT DEAL OF ADVICE WAS BEING GIVEN BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENCOURAGE SAFER WORK ING PRACTICES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, MR. WILLIAMS HOPED THAT ENFORCEMENT, ADVICE AND EDUCATION BY HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD ENCOURAGE SAFER WORK ING PRACTICES AND ADDED THAT IN THE END IT WAS THE VIGILANCE OF CONTRACTORS AND INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF THESE CASUALTIES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1977, THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S FACTORY INSPECTORATE ORGANISED 79 COURSES IN CONSTRUCTION SAFETY.

+THESE COURSES WERE ATTENDED BY NEARLY 2,000 PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHERE THE MAJORITY OF FALLS FROM WORK AT HEIGHT OCCUR.

+PRECAUTION AGAINST FALLS FORMS AN IMPORTANT PART OF EVERY COURSE,+ MR. WILLIAMS SAID.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A MOBILE EXHIBITION VISITED MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SITES ON THREE OCCASIONS DURING THE YEAR TO DISPLAY SAFETY MEASURES TO WORKERS ON SITE AND THAT FACTORY

INSPECTORS GAVE WRITTEN AND VERBAL ADVICE TO CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS DURING THE COURSE OF THEIR REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION SITES.

REFERRING TO PROTECTION BY LEGISLATION, MR. WILLIAMS SAID THIS WAS NOW AFFORDED BY THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WHICH COVER THE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND OTHER ASPECTS OF WORK ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE AND ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION HAD BEEN PREPARED AND WOULD BE INTRODUCED LATER.

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