XN000022-1981-06-24 — Page 21

F

20

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1981

IN THE LAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS, THE EXPENDITURE ON

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PUBLICITY AVERAGED ABOUT HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, BUT IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR THE BUDGET AMOUNTED TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

+THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY OBTAINED THE SERVICES OF A SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IN THE PUBLICITY ASPECT OF PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, HE NOTED.

MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WHICH ALREADY HAS A SUB-COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, HOPED TO ESTABLISH A SUB-COMMITTEE FOR EACH MAJOR INDUSTRY. ONE FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WOULD BE ESTABLISHED VERY SOON.

+ IT IS HOPED THAT SUCH SUB-COMMITTEES WILL ENCOURAGE AND INVOLVE BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, AND GIVE PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF LEGISLATION AND WORKING PROCEDURES TO CONTRIBUTE TO DEVELOPING A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT, HE CONCLUDED.

PROTECTION ADEQUATE

****

THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT IF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUILDING (DEMOLITION WORKS) REGULATIONS ARE FOLLOWED THERE IS ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR THE PUBLIC AND WORKMEN ON THE SITE, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT ONLY THE CONTRACTOR ON THE SITE WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO ASSESS THE STABILITY OF A BUILDING UNDER DEMOLITION AND TO TAKE THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO AVERT DANGER.

+THE BUILDING (DEMOLITION WORKS) REGULATIONS THEREFORE MAKE THE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEMOLITION WORKS INCLUDING APPOINTING AN EXPERIENCED SUPERVISOR, HE SAID.

+ALTHOUGH THE CONDITION OF A BUILDING BEING DEMOLISHED IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING, OCCASIONAL SPOT CHECKS OF BUILDING UNDER DEMOLITION ARE MADE BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.

+ IF ANY DANGEROUS PRACTICES ARE DISCOVERED, ACTION IS TAKEN TO STOP THE WORK IMMEDIATELY AND TO INSTITUTE ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.+

MR MCDONALD POINTED OUT THAT DEFICIENCIES IN THE REGULATIONS HAD BEEN FOUND AND AMENDMENTS WERE MADE IN 1979 TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES.

+FURTHER AMENDMENTS CAME INTO OPERATION IN APRIL THIS YEAR COVERING AMONG OTHER MATTERS THE USE OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT. + HE ADDED.