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"Stringent legal action will be taken if there are blatant breaches of the safety regulations," Mr Lee stressed.
Apart from the launching of publicity activities to promote industrial safety on caisson works and manholes, the Labour Department has organised, and will continue to organise jointly with the Occupational Safety and Health Council, special training courses and seminars on confined spaces safety and caisson safety in addition to the department's normal legislation-related safety training courses for those engaged in the related industries.
Mr Lee added that a proposal was being made to amend the existing Factories. and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulations with a view to providing better protection to workers engaged to work in a confined space including caissons and manholes.
"The proposed amendments will give a clearer meaning on what constitutes a confined space and will require contractors and proprietors to adopt additional stringent safety measures," he said.
Of the proposed measures, contractors of manhole or caisson works will be required to conduct a risk assessment by a competent person; to certify that all necessary precautions have been taken; to provide and ensure that workers entering or working in a confined space wear protective equipment; to formulate emergency procedures and to provide necessary information, instructions and training to all workers involved.
"We are putting the final touches to these proposals, and we are planning to consult the Labour Advisory Board at the end of this month before consulting representatives in the related industries on technical details.
"The intention is to introduce these new regulations within this legislative session," Mr Lee said.
End
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