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The Government today (April 14) announced the establishment of an Electrical Safety Advisory Committee to advise the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services on electrical safety matters.

The Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, has appointed Mr Wong Wai-ho as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee. Mr Wong is currently the Director of an engineering consulting firm. He has served on a number of public boards and committees.

Joining Mr Wong as members of the Advisory Committee are 14 other non-official members, including representatives from the electricity industry, the electrical trade, professional bodies, tertiary institutions, the Consumer Council, the Occupational Safety and Health Council and District Councils.

The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services and the Director of Home Affairs will also be members of the Advisory Committee. The committee will therefore have a total of 17 members.

The Electrical Safety Advisory Committee is to advise the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services on matters concerning electrical safety in Hong Kong, including the safety of electrical supply, electrical installations, wiring and products and public education on the safe use of electricity.

It will also reflect to the Director views of the electricity industry, the electrical trade and electricity consumers on any matter concerning electrical safety in Hong Kong.

"The setting up of the new committee is an important initiative by the Government and a vital element in our future strategy for improving electrical safety in Hong Kong," the Acting Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Roger Lai Sze-hoi, said.

"Though much has been done since the enactment of the Electricity Ordinance in 1990 to improve electrical safety in Hong Kong through new regulations and publicity programmes, we believe that further progress in this important area will be achieved through enhanced communication with the industry and the trade and greater public participation in formulating policy proposals on electrical safety," Mr Lai said.

"The Advisory Committee will help the Department to design effective public education programmes on the safe use of electricity. It will become a valuable conduit for community views on electrical safety matters, including enforcement and other practical issues," he said.

"I am confident that the new Advisory Committee will enable us to enhance further the standard of electrical safety in Hong Kong, and the Department is looking forward to working closely with members to achieve this end." Mr Lai added.

The full membership of the committee is as follows -

Mr WONG Wai-ho (Chairman)

Mr CHAN Pun

Mr James CHIU

Mr CHUI Seng-yew

Mr Michael FAN Wai-kong

Mr FUNG Kwai-kin

Professor HO Siu-lau

Mr IP Pak-nin

Professor Joseph LAI Ki-leuk

Mr LAM Kin-lai

Mr Martin LAW Shing-kai

Mr LEE Wing-kin

Mr TANG Wah-shing

Mr Peter WONG Kwok-keung

Mr Peter WONG Yiu-sun

Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services

Director of Home Affairs or representative

End/Friday, April 14, 2000

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