In response to the arrest of two green minibus (GMB) drivers suspected of abusing Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities (the Scheme) by the Police today (June 14) and yesterday (June 13) respectively, a Government spokesman said that the Government attached great importance to the implementation of the Scheme, and would continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the Scheme would not be abused.

     The Scheme has, since June 2012, been implemented in phases on the general Mass Transit Railway lines, franchised buses, ferries and GMB services, aiming to encourage elderly people and eligible persons with disabilities to participate more in community activities by enabling these groups to enjoy a concessionary fare of $2 per trip.

     The spokesman said, "The Transport Department (TD) has established a series of monitoring measures with the public transport operators that have joined the Scheme, including requesting the public transport operators to strengthen their internal control systems, and regularly submit to the Government the audit and assurance reports prepared by independent auditors in accordance with the relevant standards issued by the Hog Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and deploying TD staff to conduct on-site inspections to monitor the implementation of the Scheme by the public transport operators and the situation of eligible passengers when enjoying the concessionary fare. The TD regularly examines the patronage and differential fare settlement reports submitted by the public transport operators and Octopus Cards Limited to prevent the Scheme from being abused. If abnormal data and suspected abuse cases are detected during the examination of the reports, TD will refer the case to Police for follow-up action.

     "This suspected abuse case was found during the examination works conducted by the TD as mentioned above and the TD immediately referred the case to Police for follow-up action. As the case is still under investigation, the Government has no further comments," the spokesman added.

     The spokesman appeals to members of the public not to defy the law by abusing the Scheme.

     Owing to the maintenance works on the flag poles and the podium at the Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai, the flag-raising ceremony scheduled at 8am today (June 14) will be suspended.

     The Transport Department announced that counter services of Hong Kong Licensing Office at 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong, will resume from 9am today (June 14) to provide licensing and related application services.

     For enquiries, please call 2804 2636.

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.

     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 (June 14) 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.