XN000022-1990-02-02 — Page 5

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1990

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LEGISLATION PACKAGE TO ENSURE GAS SAFETY

HONG KONG WILL HAVE FOR THE FIRST TIME A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION TO ENSURE GAS SAFETY TERRITORY-WIDE WITH THE GAZETTAL OF THE OAS SAFETY BILL TODAY (FRIDAY).

DETAILING THE GAS SAFETY BILL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI, SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, WHICH HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RECENTLY, WOULD RECEIVE ITS FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 14.

HE SAID IN ADDITION то THE BILL, SIX SETS OF GAS SAFETY REGULATIONS HAD ALSO BEEN PREPARED FOR IMPLEMENTATION AFTER THE BILL'S ENACTMENT.

MR MIAO POINTED OUT THAT THIS COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF GAS SAFETY LEGISLATION WOULD ENSURE, SO FAR AS WAS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE, THE SAFETY OF GAS CONSUMERS, PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE GAS INDUSTRY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AGAINST RISKS TO THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARISING OUT OF THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, TRANSPORT, SUPPLY AND USE OF FUEL-GASES.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE LEGISLATIVE BACKING TO THE NUMEROUS GAS SAFETY MEASURES INTRODUCED SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GAS ADVISER'S OFFICE (SINCE RENAMED THE GAS STANDARDS OFFICE) IN 1982.

"IT HAS BEEN DRAWN UP IN FULL CONSULTATION WITH THE GAS INDUSTRY AND WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE EXPERIENCE GAINED BY THE GAS STANDARDS OFFICE AND THE GAS INDUSTRY IN IMPROVING GAS STANDARDS SINCE 1982.

"AS A RESULT, THE LEGISLATION IS PROPERLY ADAPTED LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND IS GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE GAS WHICH AS A WHOLE IS NOW GEARED UP TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS COMPREHENSIVE, WIDE-RANGING LEGISLATION, HE NOTED.

SAFETY

TO SUIT INDUSTRY, OF THIS

MR MIAO SAID THE GENERAL APPROACH OF THE LEGISLATION WAS TO STATE IN GENERAL TERMS THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ΤΟ BE MET,

ALTHOUGH WHERE APPROPRIATE, SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS WERE LAID DOWN, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF GAS WATER HEATERS.

"HOW THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ARE TO BE MET WILL BE SET OUT IN CODES OF PRACTICE DRAWN UP EITHER BY THE RELEVANT PARTS OF THE GAS INDUSTRY FOR GOVERNMENT APPROVAL OR BY THE GAS STANDARDS OFFICE ITSELF, HE ADDED.

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MR MIAO SAID SOME OF THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GAS AUTHORITY, A GAS COMMITTEE AND AN APPEALS BOARD TO HEAR APPEALS DECISIONS OR ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE AUTHORITY.

GAS SAFETY BILL SAFETY ADVISORY AGAINST CERTAIN

/THERE WERE