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With Chinese New Year around the corner, contractors, employers and employees are urged to be more vigilant and take adequate safety precautions before the holidays.
A spokesman for the department said today (January 16) that management and workers should pay more attention to work safety. To prevent work accidents, the spokesman urged contractors and employers to step up monitoring of their workplaces to make sure that they are safe places of work.
"Safety precautions before stopping work for the holidays include measures to ensure that the power for all plant and machinery is turned off, chemicals are properly stored, materials are stacked in an orderly manner, naked flames are extinguished, gas welding equipment is shut down and temporary structures are secured," he said.
"The management should remind supervisors and workers not to compromise work safety for tight work schedules, including failure to follow safety procedures, failure to use personal protective equipment, etc. Prior to the commencement of work involving high-risk operations, such as work at height, lifting operations, electrical work, etc, arrangements should be made to conduct risk assessment by a competent person, formulate safety method statements and implement a monitoring system accordingly," he said.
He said that the general duty provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance require contractors and employers to provide a safe working environment, a safe plant and a safe system of work for their employees. Failing to comply with this requirement could mean a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months. Employees should co-operate by following the safety instructions and by using safety equipment.
For enquires on occupational safety and health, please contact the department's occupational safety officers at 2559 2297.
Ends/Monday, January 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:09
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