XN000022-1986-12-13 — Page 8

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1986

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OPERATE SKIP HOISTS WITH CARE CALL TO CONTRACTORS

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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS TO OBSERVE ALL NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN OPERATING SKIP HOISTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

A CONTRACTOR WAS RECENTLY FINED $30 000 BY A MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PROTECT THE SIGNALLING SYSTEM OF THE SKIP HOIST FROM

INTERFERENCE.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FINE IMPOSED WAS THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.

THE CASE INVOLVED A PLASTERER WHO DIED AFTER FALLING THROUGH A HOISTWAY TO THE GROUND WHEN THE SKIP HOIST HE WAS OPERATING SUDDENLY ASCENDED AND DRAGGED HIM UPWARD.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MOST SKIP HOISTS WERE OPERATED BY WINCHES LOCATED AT GROUND LEVEL OF THE STRUCTURE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

+ THE WINCH OPERATOR MAY NOT HAVE DIRECT EYE CONTACT WITH THE HOIST WHILE IT IS MOVING AND HAS TO RELY ON A SIGNALLING SYSTEM SO THAT HE IS ABLE TO STOP THE SKIP OF THE HOIST AT THE DESIRED LEVEL, + HE SAID.

+FAILURE TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE SIGNALLING SYSTEM OR TO PREVENT UNAUTHORISED PERSONS FROM OPERATING THE SKIP HOIST WOULD NOT ONLY ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF THOSE WORKING ON THE HOIST PLATFORM BUT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE+,

HE CALLED ON CONTRACTORS AND HOIST OPERATORS WHO HAVE QUERIES ABOUT THE SIGNALLING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONTACT THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR IN THEIR DISTRICT OR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HOTLINE ON 5-8150678,

MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR SHAM SHUI PO

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SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS WOULD ENJOY BETTER RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES WITH THE COMPLETION OF SEVERAL URBAN COUNCIL PROJECTS NEXT YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.

THE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE PO ON ROAD URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX, THE CHEUNG SHA STADIUM AND THE NAM CHEONG STREET REST GARDEN.

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