XN000022-1996-11-13 — Page 19

- 8

-

As regards Part (b) of the Question, Regulation 6 of the Women and Young Persons (Industry) Regulations prohibits a woman (or young person) employed in an industrial undertaking from carrying any load which is unreasonably heavy having regard to his or her age and physical development.

In putting forward the proposal to the Labour Advisory Board, medical advice was not sought on the impact of the repeal of Regulation 6 of the Women and Young Persons (Industry) Regulation on the health of women. This is because the repeal of the women-specific provision under this Regulation will not amount to a reduction of the protection of female workers in respect of carrying of heavy weights, as the same protection is already in place under Section 6A of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance. The latter provision, which was brought into effect in 1990 (i.e. after the making of the Women and Young Persons (Industry) Regulations), prescribes the general duties of a proprietor to ensure the health and safety at work of all persons (both male and female) employed in industrial undertakings. Such duties include the duty to ensure safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transportation of articles and substances. Under this provision, no worker, male or female, should be permitted to carry any load which is unreasonably heavy to damage his or her safety and health.

End

Accidents arising from children left alone at home

Following is a question by the Hon Edward Ho Sing-tin and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It was reported that between 1989 and 1994, over 100 children lost their lives in accidents which occurred when they were left alone at home. Another such incident occurred recently when a five-year-old child, who was at home by himself, played with fire and got severely burnt. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

of the distribution of child care centres in various districts, the proportion of these centres to their target clients, and the utilization rate in these centres;