XN000022-1993-11-17 — Page 20

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993

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LIFEGUARDS MUST POSSESS COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE

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A

AN

SECRETARY FOR

A PERSON CAN BE EMPLOYED AS A LIFEGUARD ONLY IF HE POSSESSES CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY IN LIFE-SAVING AND FIRST-AID ISSUED BY ASSOCIATION APPROVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID.

THIS MEANS A VALID BRONZE MEDALLION OR HIGHER AWARDED BY THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY, HE ADDED.

QUALIFICATIONS

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR SO SAID THE LICENSEE OF A PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL WAS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE LAW FOR ENSURING THAT THE LIFEGUARDS EMPLOYED BY HIM MET THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS.

"IF HE HAS DOUBTS ABOUT THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE AUTHENTICITY OF ANY DOCUMENT HELD BY A LIFEGUARD, HE HAS A DUTY TO SEEK CONFIRMATION FROM THE ISSUING AUTHORITY.

H

"IF A FORGED DOCUMENT IS DISCOVERED, HE IS ALSO OBLIGED ΤΟ REPORT THIS TO THE POLICE, MR SO SAID, ADDING THAT ANY PERSON WHO WAS FOUND USING A FORGED DOCUMENT WAS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.

UNDER THE SWIMMING POOLS (URBAN COUNCIL} BY-LAWS AND THE SWIMMING POOLS (REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS, A LICENSEE OF A PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST TWO LIFEGUARDS DURING OPENING HOURS, UNLESS EXEMPTED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.

ANY LICENSEE CONTRAVENING THIS PROVISION IS GUILTY OF OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $1,500.

AN

ON THE HEALTH SIDE, DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS INSPECT LICENSED PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY MONTH AND CHECK ON THE LIFEGUARDS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.

THE

REMINDED

SINCE THE DISCOVERY IN SEPTEMBER OF FORGED CERTIFICATES, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAVE STEPPED UP SUCH INSPECTIONS AND HAVE LICENSEES OF SWIMMING POOLS OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION.

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INDUSTRIES WILL BE CONSULTED ON COMPETITION STUDIES

THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS UNDERTAKEN TO CONSULT RELEVANT INDUSTRIES OR TRADE BODIES AS APPROPRIATE ON DRAFT REPORTS OF ITS COMPETITION POLICY STUDIES BEFORE FINALISING THEM.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE STUDIES ARE CONDUCTED SPECIFIC то INDIVIDUAL INCLUDING SUPERMARKETS, BROADCASTING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND BANKING SERVICES.

INDUSTRIES,

SUPPLY

GAS

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