XN000022-1987-03-13 — Page 5

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1987

IT WOULD ALSO BE AN OFFENCE TO USE A PRESCRIBED PRODUCT WHICH DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE NOISE STANDARDS SPECIFIED IN REGULATIONS FOR SUCH ITEMS.

THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WERE APPLIED IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER, A PROCEDURE HAD BEEN INCLUDED TO ALLOW AN APPEAL TO BE MADE AGAINST THE SERVICE OF A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE OR THE SERVICE OF NOTICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE TESTING OF PRODUCTS.

APPEALS WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE AGAINST THE REFUSAL TO ISSUE A PERMIT FOR PERCUSSIVE PILING OR AGAINST THE CONDITIONS OF SUCH A PERMIT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WOULD BE ENFORCED BY A NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SHOULD BE THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY FOR THIS PURPOSE.

HE ADDED THAT THE BILL DID NOT INCORPORATE PROVISIONS FOR CONTROLLING NOISE FROM AIRCRAFT, NOR DID IT DEAL WITH OCCUPATIONAL NOISE LIKELY TO DAMAGE THE HEARING OF WORKERS INSIDE THEIR WORKPLACE.

+THESE MATTERS ARE DEALT WITH RESPECTIVELY BY THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) ORDINANCE 1986 AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, HE SAID.

+THERE IS ALSO A PROVISION WHICH EXPLICITLY STATES THAT THE CROWN SHALL BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WEEK TO BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW

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THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WEEK WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AT THE GROUND FLOOR PLAZA OF THE HONG KONG BANK BUILDING IN CENTRAL TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TRIPARTITE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TO COINCIDE WITH ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY.

SIR S.Y. WILL TAKE A TRAM DECORATED WITH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MESSAGES FROM THE HONG KONG TRAMWAYS DEPOT AT SHARP STREET EAST, WAN CHAI, TO CENTRAL TO PERFORM THE OPENING CEREMONY.

/HE WILL