XN000022-1983-06-29 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1983

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MR HENDERSON ADDED THAT FURTHERMORE, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS AND IMPORTANT ACCIDENTS WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE DEATH, BUT FOR REASONS OF PUBLIC INTEREST IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ASCERTAIN AUTHORITATIVELY THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

REFERRING TO THE PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR RENEWAL OF FACTORY REGISTRATIONS, MR HENDERSON EXPLAINED THAT AS A NUMBER OF SAFETY REGULATIONS HAD BEEN MADE IN RECENT YEARS, IT WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO USE THE SYSTEM OF RENEWAL TO STIPULATE SPECIAL CONDITIONS TO SAFEGUARD THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS.

AND THE REASON FOR EXEMPTING CONSTRUCTION SITES FROM REGISTRATION WAS THAT THEY ARE NOT PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND HAVE VERY DIFFERENT WORKING CONDITIONS FROM FACTORIES WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE ORDINANCE.

+IN ANY EVENT, ANY CONTRACTOR CARRYING ON CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR SIX WEEKS OR MORE, OR EMPLOYING MORE THAN 10 WORKMEN, MUST SUBMIT A NOTIFICATION OF COMMENCEMENT OF WORK TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS,+ HE ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 13.

WEATHER WARNING ARRANGEMENTS ADEQUATE: HAYE

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THE GOVERNMENT'S WEATHER WARNING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF PARENTS AND THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN ARE COMPREHENSIVE AND ADEQUATE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN, MR HAYE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KEPT A WEATHER-WATCH THROUGH DIRECT LINKS WITH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE POLICE.

IN THE CASE OF HEAVY PERSISTENT RAIN DURING THE NIGHT LIKELY TO CAUSE FLOODING OR DISRUPTION TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT, A DEPARTMENTAL OFFICER IS UNDER STANDING INSTRUCTION TO CONTACT THE DUTY FORECASTER OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE DUTY OFFICER OF THE GIS AND THE COLONY +POLMIL+ OFFICE IN POLICE HEADQUARTERS FOR WEATHER, ROAD AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION BETWEEN 5 AND 5.30 AM THE NEXT DAY,

MR HAYE SAID: +HIS DUTY IS TO KEEP THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INFORMED, WHO IN TURN REPORTS TO ME AT 5.30 AM, WHEN A DECISION MUST BE TAKEN TO CLOSE SCHOOLS OR LEAVE THEM OPEN.

+ACTION IS NECESSARY AT THIS VERY EARLY HOUR TO PERMIT MESSAGES TO BE RELAYED TO RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS BETWEEN 6 AND 6.15 AM WHEN PARENTS WITH CHILDREN IN MORNING SESSION SCHOOLS ARE LISTENING BEFORE THEY SET OUT FOR SCHOOL, HE SAID.

/MR HAYE