With the theme "Living in Safe Buildings", the Building Safety Week 2019, organised by the Buildings Department (BD), started today (April 27). It aims to disseminate building safety messages and foster a building care culture in the community through a series of diversified and innovative activities.

     Addressing the opening ceremony of Building Safety Week 2019 at Tai Kwun, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Ms Bernadette Linn said the Government aimed to, through the activity, drive home the message that good building conditions are premised upon joint community efforts. She remarked that heightened public awareness of building safety in the community could greatly complement BD’s relevant efforts.

     "The theme of this year's Building Safety Week, 'Living in Safe Buildings', reminds us that we, as users of buildings, have to pay attention to the repair, maintenance and management of buildings, and in turn stay healthy and happy," said Ms Linn.
      
     Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Buildings, Mr Cheung Tin-cheung, said that choosing Tai Kwun, a historic compound with more than a century of history, to launch Building Safety Week, carries special meaning. Participants will be able to appreciate that well-designed revitalisation not only can restore the past appearances of old buildings but will also give them a new life.
      
      He added that the BD will continue to strive to promote building safety to the public through various channels and platforms in the hope of reaching more people from different walks of life, including young people.
      
      Building Safety Week, which is being held for the fifth consecutive year, is the BD's annual major public education and publicity event. Participants joined a range of activities at the opening ceremony, such as an urban sketching workshop, Talk @ Tai Kwun and Guided tour @ Tai Kwun. Through drawing buildings and learning about an exemplary case of restoration of historic buildings, participants gained a better understanding of building safety and maintenance.
      
      Today's event also featured the award presentation for winners of the Building Safety Pioneer Programme Lyric Rewriting Contest held earlier, in which students delivered building safety messages by rewriting song lyrics in a creative fashion. The winning entries were performed by a singer and Building Safety Pioneers in a Silent Busking session today.
      
      Building Safety Week 2019 runs from today to May 3. Programme highlights include public talks, the Building Information Centre Open Day, the Registered Inspectors Briefing Session and the Building Safety Symposium. In addition to the Secondary School Drama Competition, which has been held for a number of years, a postcard design competition has been organised for the first time this year. Entries from kindergarten children up to college students and members of the public are welcome.
      
      For the latest updates on the activities of Building Safety Week 2019, people may visit the webpage of the BD (www.bd.gov.hk/en/whats-new/events-and-publicity/index.html).

              

     Police today (April 27) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in North Point.

     Chan Wai-kit, aged 48, went missing after he was last seen on King’s Road yesterday (April 26) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 65 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a blue and white long-sleeved shirt, grey trousers, dark brown leather shoes and a pair of glasses.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
     

  

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 27) that due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Kiu Tsui Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 27) that due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Kiu Tsui Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (April 27) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.