XN000022-1985-06-09 — Page 9

8

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT HAD REVEALED THAT THE REQUIREMENT WAS OFTEN IGNORED BY FACTORY OWNERS.

IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD TO LIFE AND PROPERTY OF UNATTENDED BOILERS, THE DEPARTMENT HAD STEPPED UP VISITS TO FACTORIES TO IDENTIFY OFFENDING OWNERS, HE ADDED.

LAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 188 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST FACTORY PROPRIÉTORS WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID FACTORY OWNERS WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS OF ANY BOILER ACCIDENT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF ITS OCCURRENCE.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO DO SO IS A FINE OF

$10 000.

IN A RECENT CASE, AN OWNER HAD BEEN CONVICTED AND FINED FOR HIS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS LEGAL OBLIGATION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID OWNERS MIGHT ALSO USE THE AUTO RECORDING SERVICE FOR REPORTING SUCH ACCIDENT AFTER OFFICE HOURS AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-688756.

HE URGED FACTORY PROPRIETORS WHO DID NOT HAVE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TENDING THE IR ELECTRIC BOILERS TO USE THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION.

THE DIVISION HAS PREPARED +A GUIDE FOR OPERATORS OF ELECTRIC IRONING BOILERS+, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE, IT HAS ALSO ORGANISED A HALF-DAY COURSE FOR OPERATORS OF MANUALLY-CONTROLLED IRONING BOILERS.

AN EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE AWARDED AFTER THE COURSE WOULD PERMIT THE OPERATOR TO ATTEND TO THE BOILER FOR 14 MONTHS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE OPERATOR SHOULD TRY TO OBTAIN A NORMAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY BY PASSING THE EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED EACH DAY BY THE DIVISION, OR BY ATTENDING EVENING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF FACTORIES USING IRONING BOILERS MAY CONTACT THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-688111 EXT. 352 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.

19

2