XN000022-1996-10-31 — Page 13

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Fire and chemical safety campaign to be launched

The Labour Department will launch a two-month campaign tomorrow (Friday) to enhance fire and chemical safety in factories and catering establishments.

Chief Factory Inspector (Operations), Mr Tse Ming-sing, said today (Thursday) that the campaign aimed at alerting proprietors and workers of factories and catering establishments to keep their workplaces free from fire and chemical hazards, especially during the dry season.

"The campaign will target at factories and catering establishments using or handling considerable quantities of flammable substances or dangerous chemicals as well as those with poor safety records," he said.

During the campaign, surprise inspections will be made to these establishments. Improvement notices will be issued to bring about compliance of safety and health legislation.

"Proprietors who fail to comply with the improvement notices will be

prosecuted.

"Legal action will also be taken against those proprietors and workers who violate the provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance or its subsidiary regulations," said Mr Tse.

He urged proprietors to keep all means of escape in their workplaces in good condition and free from obstruction. They should also maintain exit doors unlocked and unfastened at all times.

With regard to the handling of dangerous chemicals, Mr Tse said containers of these substances should be properly labelled to indicate the associated risks and the necessary precautions to ensure safety.

Any proprietor who fails to comply with an improvement notice is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and 12 months' imprisonment.

He is also liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for contravening the fire and chemical safety provisions while an employee is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.

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