XN000022-1978-08-16 — Page 13

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978

HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG HAS, DURING THE PAST TEN YEARS, INTRODUCED A SPATE OF LABOUR LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE WORKFORCE. IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS

ALONE, NO LESS THAN SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WERE APPROVED. THIS LEGISLATION IS ENFORCED BY A LARGE STAFF WHOSE DEDICATION TO WORK CAN BE EVIDENCED BY THE CONSIDERABLE GRUMBLING IN INDUSTRY ABOUT UNSYMPATHETIC FACTORY INSPECTORS.

SIR SZE-YUEN MADE THESE REMARKS DURING DEBATE ON THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEARS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1978 WHICH IF APPROVED WITHOUT MODIFICATION, HE SAID, WOULD BE THE MOST STRINGENT SAFETY LEGISLATION IN THE WORLD FOR THIS TYPE OF INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT.

+THIS WOULD BE IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE VIEW EXPRESSED BY THE BRITISH UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, HE SAID.

UNDER THE REGULATIONS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SIZE OF THE LIFTING APPLIANCE AND THE NATURE OF THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING AS DEFINED IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE,

* EACH CHAIN, ROPE AND LIFTING GEAR WILL HAVE TO BE

INSPECTED BEFORE USE ON EACH OCCASION BY A COMPETENT PERSON-

* EACH LIFTING APPLIANCE WILL HAVE TO BE OPERATED ONLY BY

A COMPETENT PERSON- AND

* WHEN A LOAD IS LEFT SUSPENDED FROM A LIFTING APPLIANCE,

A COMPETENT PERSON WILL HAVE TO BE PRESENT DURING THE PERIOD OF SUSPENSION.

+I AM SURE THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL AGREE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE NEITHER PRACTICABLE NOR NECESSARY EXCEPT IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS SUCH AS DOCKS, QUAYS WHARFS AND WAREHOUSES AND FOR CRANES AND LIFTING APPLIANCES EXCEEDING A CERTAIN SIZE,+ SIR SZE-YUEN SAID.

HE ALSO SAID THAT THE CUSTOMARY PRACTICE OF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO MAKE PREPARATION FOR COMPLYING WITH NEW FACTORY LAW WAS NOT FOLLOWED IN THE PRESENT CASE.

HE THEREFORE MOVED A RESOLUTION, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL APPLY ONLY TO INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING (OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION WORK) AT A DOCK, QUAY, WHARF OR WAREHOUSE AND THAT THEY SHALL NOT COME INTO OPERATION UNTIL A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE,

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