XN000022-1993-02-04 — Page 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1993

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GOVERNOR'S CONDITION IS GOOD

THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE SPOKESMAN, ME MINE HANSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER FATTEN, HAS SPENT A COMFORTABLE NIGHT AT THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND THAT HIS CONDITION HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS GOOD BYA THE MEDICAL TEAM.

MR PATTEN SLEPT WELL LAST NIGHT AND IS KATING A NORMAL DIET. HE WILL REMAIN IN HOSPITAL FOR TODAY AND IS LIKELY TO RETURN HOME TOMORROW TO CONTINUE HIS CONVALESCENCE.

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WSD SAFEGUARDS AGAINST CHLORINE LEAKAGE

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AN INTERIM REPORT ON THE CHLORINE LEAKAGE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT THE SHEUNG SHUI TREATMENT WORKS ON JANUARY 25 REVEALED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS ONLY A MINOR ONE WHICH DID NOT AFFECT THE NEARBY RESIDENTS AND THE OPERATION OF THE PLANT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

INVESTIGATION BY THE DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A MINOR DEFECT IN THE CONNECTION POINT BETWEEN THE FEEDING PIPE AND THE CHLORINE STORAGE DRUM, LEADING TO THE LEAKAGE OF ABOUT TWO KILOGRAMS OF CHLORINE.

"HOWEVER, ALL THE LEAKED GAS WAS CONFINED ROOM, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.

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T'O THE CHLORINE

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SHEUNG SHUI TREATMENT WORKS WAS MANNED BY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ROUND-THE-CLOCK.

HE SAID THE CHLORINE LEAK DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLED AT THE PLANT WAS AUTOMATICALLY TRIGGERED WHEN THE LEAKAGE HAPPENED.

"EQUIPPED WITH OXYGEN BREATHING MASKS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, STAFF ON DUTY IMMEDIATELY CLOSED THE VALVE OF THE CHLORINE STORAGE DRUM TO PREVENT MORE CHLORINE FROM LEAKING OUT.

"OUR STAFF'S ADEQUATE PREPARATION AND EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING CHLORINE LEAKAGE WAS DEMONSTRATED IN THIS PROMPT ACTION, HR NOTED.

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT BY A CONSULTANT'S ENGAGED TO REVIEW THE OF CHLORINE STORAGE AT THE SHEUNG SHUI TREATMENT WORKS.

HAD ADOPTED RECOMMENDATIONS METHOD AND SAFETY MEASURES

THESE INCLUDED STEPPING UP PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AT THE CHLORINE STORAGE AREA AT THE PLANT AND INTRODUCING A SET OF STRINGENT INTERNAL GUIDELINES ON THE DAILY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TREATMENT WORKS.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CHLORINE SYSTEM HAD ALSO UNDERGONE VIGOROUS TRAINING,

"THEREFORE, OUR