XN000022-1984-04-01 — Page 4

SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1984

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PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF NOISE WOULD DAMAGE THE HEARING OF WORKERS WITHOUT SUITABLE EAR PROTECTORS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SUB-COMMITTEE SAID.

HOWEVER, THE SURVEY NOTED THAT. SOME EMPLOYERS OF THE TEXTILES TRADE, PARTICULARLY IN SMALLER FACTORIES, DID NOT OBSERVE THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF PROVIDING THEIR WORKERS WITH EAR PROTECTORS.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1982, WHERE AN EMPLOYEE IS LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED CONTINUOUSLY FOR EIGHT HOURS TO A SOUND LEVEL OF 90 DB(A), THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING SHOULD.

*

MAINTAIN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT PROPERLY TO MINIMISE THE EMANATION OF SOUND;

* PROVIDE SUITABLE EAR PROTECTORS TO WORKERS; AND

* POST A NOTICE IN THE WORKPLACE WARNING THE DANGER TO

HEALTH OF A FAILURE TO MAKE USE OF EAR PROTECTORS.

THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE WORKERS TO USE EAR PROTECTORS PROVIDED DURING THE WHOLE PERIOD WHEN THEY ARE EXPOSED TO SUCH A SOUND LEVEL.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF HEARING IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS PUBLISHED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

THEY MAY ALSO CONSULT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAVE ANY INQUIRIES.

RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS ****

REGISTERING AS VOTERS AND PARTICIPATING IN NEXT YEAR'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC REFORM, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.

HE SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN CALLS FOR A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE JURISDICTION OF DISTRICT BOARDS.

+ IN RESPONSE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS INCLUDING INCREASING THE ELECTED ELEMENT ON THE BOARDS AND HAVING UNOFFICIALS AS CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS.

/+ALL THESE