XN000022-1992-03-28 — Page 3

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992

IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE DIRECTED ΤΟ ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S. LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, OR THE DEPARTMENT'S ENQUIRY HOTLINE ON 815 5066.

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FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR GRAVE SWEEPERS

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY} URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IN HANDLING FIRE WHEN THEY VISIT ANCESTRAL GRAVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVE PERIOD.

THE DEPARTMENT'S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR LAI CHING-WAI, SAID: "ON THE LAST CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY, 10 REPORTS OF HILL FIRES WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS WERE RECEIVED, DAMAGING 113 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS AND SOME 3,400 TREES."

HE SAID IF THE GRAVE SWEEPERS WERE CARELESS IN HANDLING WORSHIPPING ITEMS, HIGHER RISKS OF COUNTRYSIDE FIRES WOULD BE POSSIBLE DURING THE COMING FESTIVAL.

"IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HIGH FIRE RISK, THE DEPARTMENT WILL MOBILISE 22 TEAMS OF 200 FIRE FIGHTERS ON STAND-BY DUTIES ROUND THE CLOCK TO SAFEGUARD COUNTRY PARK PLANTATIONS DURING THE PERIOD, HE SAID.

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THE FIRE FIGHTERS WILL BE JOINED BY SIX TEAMS OF 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES PERSONNEL.

MR LAI SAID MOST OF THE COUNTRYSIDE FIRES WERE CAUSED BY HUMAN NEGLIGENCE AND COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF PEOPLE OBSERVED SEVERAL SIMPLE RULES AS FOLLOWS:

* BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS;

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DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED UNATTENDED; AND

CANDLES, JOSS ARTICLES AND PAPERS

MAKE SURE ALL BURNING ITEMS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING GRAVE SITES.

MR LAI SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE METAL CONTAINERS AT APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS INSIDE COUNTRY PARK AREAS FOR GRAVE SWEEPERS.

HE ALSO REMINDED PICNICKERS TO LIGHT FIRE ONLY AT DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS.

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"ILLEGAL LIGHTING OF FIRES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS MAY LEAD MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT, AND A FINE TO $2,000 MAY BE IMPOSED FOR CAUSING FIRE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, SAID,

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