XN000022-1987-01-14 — Page 30

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987

J

28

CARPARK CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS UNDER SCRUTINY

*****

THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS, IS EXAMINING THE NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS ON VENTILATION IN UNDERGROUND CARPARKS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO THE QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT NO REGULAR MONITORING OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN UNDERGROUND CARPARKS WAS UNDERTAKEN AT PRESENT.

HE SAID RELIANCE HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE SELF-REGULATION OF BUILDING DEVELOPERS TO INCORPORATE ADEQUATE VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN ENCLOSED CARPARKS. GUIDELINES TO THIS EFFECT WERE ISSUED BY PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE CHARTERED INSTITUTION OF BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERS (CIBS).

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT A STUDY OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN TWO UNDERGROUND CARPARKS HAD BEEN RECENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT WHILE THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE HEALTH HAZARDS TO THE PUBLIC USING THE CARPARKS, THE ATTENDANTS AND SECURITY GUARDS MIGHT BE EXPOSED TO A POTENTIAL HAZARD.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WOULD UNDERTAKE PERIODIC MONITORING OF CARDON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN ENCLOSED CARPARKS, HE ADDED.

EFFICIENT SERVICE BEFORE ALTERNATE SATURDAY OFF

*****

WHILE THE ALTERNATE SATURDAY-OFF SYSTEM MAINLY APPLIED TO OFFICE STAFF, OFFICES WHICH MAINLY PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC FOR WHICH THERE WAS A CONSTANTLY HEAVY DEMAND WERE MANNED AT FULL STRENGTH ON SATURDAYS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON KIM CHAM, MR FORD SAID THAT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS OR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAD THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ADOPT THE ALTERNATE SATURDAY-OFF SYSTEM IN RESPECT OF ANY OR ALL OF THEIR STAFF.

HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT IN CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A SYSTEM, THE HEADS MUST ENSURE THAT THE EFFICIENCY OF THE IR ORGANISATIONS WAS NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE HOURS OF WORK OF THE STAFF INVOLVED, AS STIPULATED IN THEIR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, WERE NOT REDUCED; AND THAT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WERE NOT IMPAIRED.

ویرا

Page 30Page 31