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The Commissioner for Labour has decided to withdraw the recognition given to Hong Kong Human Resources Limited (HKHRL) under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulation (Cap. 59AE) for running two safety training courses and the authorisation to issue certificates for completion of these two courses with effect from December 17, 2008.
The two courses are: the Safety Training Course for Competent Persons in Confined Spaces Operation and the Revalidation Safety Training Course for Competent Persons in Confined Spaces Operation.
HKHRL was found to have breached the conditions of authorisation for running these two courses.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said that the department had served a notice on HKHRL today (December 15) after evidence had been gathered indicating that HKHRL had substantially changed the contents of the two courses without the Commissioner's prior approval, in breach of the conditions attached to the recognition of the said courses. HKHRL's breach of conditions of authorisation occurred in 2006. The withdrawal of recognition comes after thorough investigation, evidence gathering, and providing opportunities to HKHRL to give explanations and representations.
The spokesman said, "The decision will not affect the certificates issued by HKHRL for the two courses before the effective date of the withdrawal, and other courses operated by HKHRL."
There are 23 approved course providers, excluding HKHRL, running confined space competent person safety training courses for the public. People who need to undertake the two affected courses may enrol in the courses run by these approved course providers. Information on confined space courses is available on Labour Department's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content5.htm).
"Workers affected or interested to know more are also welcome to call the Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre hotline on 2940 7054 or the department's occupational safety and health advisory telephone service hotline on 2559 2297," said the spokesman.
"We conduct regular inspections to monitor compliance by course providers with conditions of approval of safety training courses. This forms an important part of our efforts to ensure occupational safety," the spokesman said.
"Failure to comply with the approval conditions may result in the withdrawal of the recognition of the courses and the authorisation to issue the relevant certificates," the spokesman warned.
Ends/Monday, December 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:00
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