XN000022-1980-03-18 — Page 5

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1980

BUILDING IN TSUEN WAN DECLARED DANGEROUS

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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED AN EIGHT-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT 126-140, TEXACO ROAD IN TSUEN WAN TERRITORIES LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SAID THE BUILDING WAS INTENSIVELY INVESTIGATED AFTER SHEAR CRACKS HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS,

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THE INVESTIGATION, HE SAID, INVOLVED THE EXTRACTION OF SAMPLES FROM THE REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE FOR TESTING AND ANALYSIS OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE CONCRETE.

+THE RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT THIS BUILDING IS CONSIDERABLY SUB-STANDARD IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.

+A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE CONCRETE SAMPLES HAVE BEEN FOUND NOT TO HAVE THE REQUIRED CRUSHING STRENGTH AND DEFICIENCIES IN CEMENT CONTENT WERE ALSO FOUND BY ANALYSIS, HE SAID.

AS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE LEADING TO COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE THIS BUILDING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JUNE 18 WAS POSTED TODAY.

LABOUR DEPARTMENT ACTS AGAINST LAW BREAKERS

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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH PROSECUTED 561 CASES AGAINST PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS, THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE.

OF THESE CASES TAKEN OUT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S PROSECUTIONS UNIT, 543 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS, AND FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS TOTALLED MORE THAN $310 000.

OFFENCES CONCERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR 288 OF THE SUMMONSES. THESE RESULTED IN 275 CONVICTIONS WITH FINES TOTALLING MORE THAN $114 000.

BREACHES OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS PRODUCED 266 SUMMONSES

WITH 265 CONVICTIONS. FINES TOTALLED MORE THAN $194 000.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THAT MOST OF THE CONVICTIONS WERE THE RESULT OF ACTION INITIATED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND LABOUR INSPECTORATE.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION SAFEGUARDED EMPLOYEES AT WORK AND PROTECTED THE WELFARE OF WOMEN AND YOUNG WORKERS.

HOWEVER, IT TOOK MORE THAN LEGISLATION TO STAMP OUT OFFENCES IN INDUSTRY AND CO-OPERATION WAS NEEDED FROM ALL CONCERNED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, HE SAID.

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