XN000022-1985-05-14 — Page 27

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TUESDAY, MAY 14, 15

+ THE PROSPECTS FOR SURVIVAL OF THE TREES WOULD THEREFORE SEEM TO BE MUCH IMPROVED, THOUGH WHETHER THAT WOULD BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMERCIAL OR OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED, + HE SAID.

MR YOUNG NOTED THAT PERMISSION TO FELL TREES ON CROWN LAND IS GOVERNED BY THE GOVERNMENT'S GENERAL REGULATIONS. THE PROCEDURE IS WELL UNDERSTOOD BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

REFERRING TO THE CASE IN STANLEY, HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION OF PROCEDURE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT DID OBTAIN ADVICE FROM BOTH THE URBAN SERVICES AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENTS.

+ THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S DETAILED ADVICE WAS THAT THE RETENTION OF THE TREES WAS DESIRABLE BUT, HAVING REGARD TO CONCERN OVER THEIR GENERAL HEALTH AND STABILITY, NOT ESSENTIAL, SAID MR YEUNG,

+DECISIONS ON THESE MATTERS ARE BASED ON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS INVOLVED BY THE COUNCIL'S PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS.

+BUT, AS IN THIS CASE, THEY CAN BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW. IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT SUCH CASES WILL OCCUR IN FUTURE.+

MEASURES TAKEN TO ENSURE GREATER WORK SAFETY

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THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPOINTING A DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY OFFICER TO MONITOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE DEPARTMENTAL WORK-FORCE OF 18 000.

IN ADDITION TO STAFF RELATIONS AND WELFARE WORK, HE WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING OPERATIONAL WORK-PLACES, CONSULTING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AND ADVISING ON MEASURES TO ENSURE GREATER SAFETY AT WORK.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY DR KIM CHAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MR WALTER SULKE AT THE URBAN COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.

DR CHAM TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TOOK A SERIOUS VIEW OF THE NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

/+PRECAUTIONARY LAASURES