Flag-raising ceremony cancelled
Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 28) will be cancelled. If the thunderstorm warning is can… read more
Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 28) will be cancelled. If the thunderstorm warning is can… read more
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 (July 28) 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 Adverse Weather and ‘Extreme Conditions'” 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. read more
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 … read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (July 28) expressed their warmest congratulations to Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong for winning the gold medal in the Women’s Épée Individual event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which is the first medal for the Hong Kong, China Delegation in this Olympic Games. They also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to her coach and the fencing team.
The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, “With great perseverance and determination, Vivian Kong triumphed at international competitions and took top slot in the world ranking by overcoming her injuries and enhancing her level of skills. She demonstrated exceptional skills during the match of the Olympic Games, capturing the gold medal and writing a glorious page in Hong Kong’s fencing history again. The people of Hong Kong are all proud of her remarkable achievement.”
ExCo Non-official Members fully support the Government’s on-going programmes to strengthen support for elite athletes, attract major international sports events to Hong Kong, and promote the development of sports through a five-pronged approach, namely, by promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, promoting Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism and developing sports as an industry. They hope that the Hong Kong, China Delegation will continue to unleash their potential and achieve outstanding results in the various events. read more
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, extended his congratulations to Hong Kong fencing athlete Vivian Kong on winning a gold medal in Women’s Épée Individual event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on July 27 (Paris time). This is the first medal won by the Hong Kong, China Delegation in this Olympic Games. Being at the Paris Olympics in person, Mr Yeung shared the joy of winning with Vivian Kong and her team immediately.
Mr Yeung said, “With her superb performance and keen tactics in the competition, Vivian Kong claimed victory and realised the dream of Hong Kong citizens. Witnessing the triumphant moment firsthand, I am both touched and delighted by her performance and demeanour of a great athlete. I believe Hong Kong citizens shared the joy as well.”