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 (August 25) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
Police earlier issued the Letter of No Objection for the public procession held in Kwun Tong yesterday (August 24). However, some radical protestors deviated from the original route and obstructed roads, damaging lampposts and assaulting police officers. Police strongly condemn the protestors’ behaviours.
Starting from 2pm, a large number of protestors gathered in the vicinity of Wai Yip Street, Hoi Bun Road and Sheung Yuet Road in Kwun Tong and set up barricades with water-filled barriers, bamboo sticks and other objects paralysing traffic. Radical protestors used electric saws to damage a number of smart lampposts on Sheung Yuet Road, posing serious threat to the safety of people at scene and road users. Protestors also hurled hard objects and petrol bombs at police officers, causing damage to police vehicles and leg injuries to a reporter.
Since around 8pm, protestors gathered in Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po. They blocked a number of roads including Lung Cheung Road and Yen Chow Street, aimed laser beams at Police officers and hurled bricks and hard objects at the Police cordon lines. Some violent protestors had arguments and scuffles with others in Sham Shui Po.
In view of the situation, Police began dispersal operation after repeated warnings issued to the protestors gathered in Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po went futile. During the dispersal, Police used appropriate force to stop the violent acts by protestors.
During the operation, Police arrested 19 men and 10 women, aged 17 to 52, for offences including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapon and assaulting police officers.
Police strongly condemn the protestors’ behaviours which breached public peace. Police all along respect people’s rights and freedom to express views and facilitate all peaceful public events. Only when there were violent acts or illegal behaviours which endangered the safety of people at scene, Police would stop them by proportionate use of force to prevent the incidents from worsening. Police appeal to protestors to remain peaceful, rational and non-violent when participating in public events in order to maintain public safety and public order.
Regarding an image circulated on the Internet showing a device "BLE Locator Model: SPLD01" which is believed to be a component part inside the smart lamppost that was torn down, a spokesman for the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer clarified today (August 25) that the device in question is the Bluetooth beacon (beacon) installed in the lamppost. The beacon was developed by the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre for offering positioning service which is more precise than Global Positioning System (GPS) to the public and visitors. SPLD01 stands for "Smart Post Lands Department Model No 01".
"Ticktack Technology Limited" which appeared on the beacon is responsible for the supply and installation of the device concerned. The company is a local small enterprise. The two shareholders/directors of the company and all its employees are local citizens born and brought up in Hong Kong. Established in 2017, the Ticktack Technology Limited is a sub-contractor of the smart lamppost project. Its two shareholders/directors also hold a local company Joint Wisdom Engineering Limited which is a Highways Department sub-contractor for the maintenance of public lighting over the past 10 years.
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 (August 25) 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.
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.