TNAG-0784-FCO40-988-Application-of-international-labour-conventions-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 13

Article

No.

Provisions

8

(cont'd)

9

10

Comments

Under regulation 30 of the Building (Planning) Regula- tions, every room used for the purpose of an office shall be provided with natural lighting and ventilation by means of one or more windows of required dimensions and position. Regulation 34 of the same Regulations provides that where, owing to the position, level or unsuitable surroundings of the room,

natural lighting and ventilation are not possible, there shall be provided such artificial lighting as the Building Authority may approve and a mechanical means of ventilation which shall be capable of supplying fresh air to all parts of such room at a rate of not less than five changes of air an hour.

However, the provisions of section 93 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance apply to only scheduled premises which include restaurants, dancing establishments, theatres, cinemas, and funeral parlours, but not to other types of premises, and Regulation 30 of the Building (Planning) Regulations applies only to post-war buildings designed for offices. There will be need to make similar legislative provisions applicable to offices and esta- blishments situated in old buildings, unless these are exempted from the application of this article.

The Ventilation By-laws are relevant. See paragraphs 3-5 of comments to Article 8.

All premises used by workers shall have sufficient and suitable lighting; workplaces shall, as far as possible, have natural lighting.

As comfortable and steady a temperature as cir- cumstances permit shall be maintained in all premises used by workers.

There is no legislation applying this article. To meet with the requirement of this article, it will be necessary to to set a maximum temperature as well as a minimum temperature for shops and offices. There is no difficulty in meeting this provision in modern buildings specifically designed for office or commercial purposes and having central air- conditioning systems. There would however be difficulty of compliance by offices and shops situated in old buildings and in buildings not originally designed for office or commercial purposes but in which many small offices and shops are located. The cost involved in air-conditioning these small shops and offices will be a heavy burden to employers.

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