XN000022-1993-09-27 — Page 14

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1993

WORK IN CONFINED SPACES MUST BE SAFE

* * * * * * *

OF

EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS MUST COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE WORK

THE IN CONFINED SPACES, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR SAFETY LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

BARLY

REFERRING TO AN INCIDENT IN WHICH TWO WORKERS DIED WHILE WORKING IN A DRAINAGE MANHOLE AT LAGUNA CITY, KWUN TONG, IN THE HOURS OF SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 25), MR CHAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT'S FACTORY INSPECTORS WERE STILL INVESTIGATING THE CASE.

AS

"OUR INITIAL ENQUIRIES FOUND THAT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, SUCH THE PROVISION OF AIR TESTING, RESCUE EQUIPMENT AND BREATHING APPARATUS, HAD APPARENTLY NOT BEEN TAKEN BEFORE THE INCIDENT.

"PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN IF WE HAVE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, HE ADDED.

T

MR CHAN STRESSED THAT MOST INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS HAD STRICTLY OBSERVED SAFETY REGULATIONS.

UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, EMPLOYERS HAVE THE STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK, INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL HAZARDS, AS WELL AS SUPERVISION AND TRAINING TO ENSURE WORKERS' SAFETY.

THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATION STATES CLEARLY THAT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES MUST TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DANGERS RESULTING FROM THE PREsence of NOXIOUS FUMES, TOXIC GAS, OXYGEN DEFICIENCY OR EXCESSIVE HEAT IN CONFINED SPACES.

NOTING THAT CONFINED SPACES INCLUDE SEWERS, CAISSONS, MANHOLES, TANKS, WELLS AND TUNNELS, MR CHAN SAID: "WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES REQUIRES

TO CAREFUL PLANNING BEFOREHAND AND EVERY STEP MUST BE TAKEN ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS WHEN WORK IS IN PROGRESS.'

HE REITERATED THAT THE FOLLOWING MEASURES ARE ESSENTIAL TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS:

* THE CONFINED SPACE MUST BE CLEANED AND PURGED ΤΟ REMOVE

DANGEROUS FUMES;

*

*

NO WORKER SHOULD ENTER CONFINED SPACES UNLESS 80

AUTHORISED BY THE PROPRIETOR;

TO

ANY WORKER IN A CONFINED SPACE MUST WEAR APPROVED, SUITABLE BREATHING APPARATUS UNLESS THE SPACE HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BE SAFE FOR ENTRY;

ADEQUATE

STEPS

MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO

THE WORKER STAYS

INGRESS OF DANGEROUS FUMES, HARMFUL GASES, OR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY IN THE CONFINED SPACE WHILE THERE;

/*THE WORKER