TNAG-1733-FCO40-2446-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 253

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The two amendments proposed are, first, to specify how

the concentration of a substance should be measured and,

secondly, to delete the clause by which laboratories within

factories and industrial undertakings are exempted from the various

regulations. We have received strong representation from various quarters that such an exemption would create a major loophole, and now agree that there is a good case for including them under

the regulations.

The Labour Department has published reference materials, technical information and literature on this subject.

These include a booklet on the classification

the classification and labelling of

dangerous substances commonly used in industry; leaflets on the

safe use of chemical substances; and technical data sheets for

the listed substances. Standard sample labels, with prescribed risks, safety information and symbols will be made available to

factory proprietors before the regulations come into force.

Employers will need time to adapt to the regulations. The Commissioner for Labour therefore intends to bring them into

operation six months after their approval by this Council. A publicity campaign will be

will be conducted during this period to

The explain the purpose and content of the regulations.

We shall monitor the effectiveness of the Regulations

once they come into force.

Sir,

clear that

undertakings

and

many of our existing regulations already make it

both employers

employees in industrial

share the responsibility for safety in the workplace. I believe that these regulations are a significant step in our continued efforts to reduce the toll of accidents and illnesses arising from unsafe working conditions.

Sir, I beg to move.

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