XN000022-1986-11-09 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1986

PROPER USE OF ELECTRICAL APPARATUS ESSENTIAL

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FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS ARE URGED TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION WHEN USING ELECTRICAL APPARATUS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, NINE PERSONS DIED FROM ELECTROCUTION IN FACTORIES AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

THE MAJOR CAUSES WERE DUE TO LEAKAGE OF CURRENT FROM FAULTY EQUIPMENT WITHOUT PROPER EARTHING AND WORKING ON +LIVE+ WITHOUT TAKING THE NECESSARY PRECAUTION.

+AS FAULTY EQUIPMENT CAN LEAD TO FATAL ACCIDENTS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE ALL EQUIPMENT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND EFFECTIVELY EARTHED, + THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+ IF WORKING ON 'LIVE' IS NECESSARY, WORKERS SHOULD REFRAIN FROM WORKING ALONE AND SUITABLE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT MUST BE USED.

+FURTHERMORE, WORKERS ENGAGED IN ELECTRICAL WORK SHOULD BE CONVERSANT WITH THE TREATMENT FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK.

UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ELECTRICITY) REGULATIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, EMPLOYERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THESE TWO REGULATIONS ARE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO FINES BETWEEN $30 000 AND $50 000.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS TO ATTEND FREE TRAINING COURSES ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY ORGANISED YEAR ROUND BY THE DEPARTMENT'S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO PUBLISHED A GUIDE TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ELECTRICITY) REGULATIONS WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

ANYONE SEEKING FURTHER ADVICE SHOULD CONTACT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

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