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The Labour Department today (April 7) reminded concerned parties that the deadline for submitting views on the draft Code of Practice (COP) on Safety and Health at Work for Gas Welding and Flame Cutting is April 30.

Copies of the draft COP were sent in mid-March to a total of 89 organisations in the industry for comments. They include relevant trade unions, trade associations, Government departments and organisations of occupational safety and health professionals.

"To make the COP an effective and practical guidance in the safety and health at work for gas welding and flame cutting, we now appeal for your invaluable comments on the draft," a spokesman for the department said today.

The draft COP is intended to be issued by the Commissioner for Labour under Section 7A(1) of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Chapter 59). It will have a binding effect on employers and employees.

The draft COP describes the steps and measures to be taken in protecting workers from the hazards arising from the work on gas welding and flame cutting, and in reducing injuries and damage caused by fires and explosions.

It sets down precisely the responsibilities of the proprietor, line management personnel and persons employed in ensuring safety and health at work. It also states that the proprietor should provide appropriate information, instruction and training to the workers on the safety and health aspects specific to the assigned tasks.

Other areas covered include general safe practices such as safe storage and handling of gas cylinders, checking and maintenance of plant and equipment, possible hazards and risk assessment, and emergency preparedness.

"We expect to publish the COP by the end of June for the industry to follow," the spokesman said.

The draft COP has been prepared following an industrial accident in a welding workshop in Yuen Long on February 12. Apart from turning the existing guidelines on the use of oxy-acetylene cutting and welding equipment into a new COP and a proposal to introduce mandatory safety training for concerned workers, the Labour Department has also conducted a territory-wide inspection on the use of oxy-acetylene equipment in conjunction with the Fire Services Department.

End/Friday, April 7, 2000

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