XN000022-1987-10-04 — Page 6

5

-

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1987

PROSECUTION OVER USE OF DEFECTIVE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT LIKELY

FACTORY PROPRIETORS USING A PRESSURE EQUIPMENT WHICH HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH A CLOSURE ORDER BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE LIABLE TO BE PROSECUTED WITHOUT FURTHER WARNING.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT FROM TIME TO TIME, CLOSURE ORDERS WERE ISSUED UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF UNSAFE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT.

HOWEVER, MANY OWNERS OF THESE EQUIPMENT FAIL TO TAKE PROMPT ACTION TO RECTIFY THE DEFICIENCIES AND CONTINUE TO USE THEM AT THEIR OWN RISK.

"THIS PRACTICE IS NOT ONLY AN OFFENCE BUT MAY ALSO POSE SERIOUS THREATS TO HUMAN LIVES AND PROPERTIES, HE WARNED.

tr

ANYONE WHO OPERATES A DEFECTIVE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE.

THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON ALL OWNERS TO HEED THE CLOSURE ORDERS AND TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS ΤΟ HAVE THEIR EQUIPMENT CHECKED BY AN APPOINTED EXAMINER.

AN APPOINTED EXAMINER IS AN EXPERIENCED ENGINEER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL, EXAMINE AND ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS IN RESPECT OF THE EQUIPMENT WHICH HE IS AUTHORISED TO EXAMINE.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DIFFICULTY FOR OWNERS TO ENGAGE AND APPOINTED EXAMINER AS THERE ARE AT PRESENT 48 AIR RECEIVER INSPECTORS AND 29 BOILER INSPECTORS AUTHORISED TO CARRY OUT INSPECTIONS.

A LIST OF THESE APPOINTED EXAMINERS 19 AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 17TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-8524185.

/6