*********************************************************

Operators of gas welding and flame cutting equipment will be required to undergo mandatory safety training and to obtain a certificate when the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Gas Welding and Flame Cutting) Regulation is brought into effect.

The regulation, which is gazetted on November 30, is to enhance the work safety in gas welding and flame cutting work, which is commonly used in various trades and is prone to cause serious accidents if not handled properly.

"To allow adequate time for the prescribed training, a grace period of 24 months will be provided before the regulation is brought into effect," a spokesman for the Labour Department noted today (December 26).

Under the regulation, any person performing gas welding and flame cutting work is required to complete an approved safety training course and possess a valid certificate.

"Such training will last for one day and must be recognised by the Commissioner for Labour. Through administrative means, the Commissioner will ensure that certificates issued for the purpose of the regulation would be valid for five years," the spokesman said.

The proprietor of an industrial undertaking concerned will be required to provide safety training to an operator who is instructed to perform gas welding and flame cutting work.

"The proprietor shall ensure that every person possesses a valid certificate before he/she is allowed to perform such work."

"In addition, any person who performs gas welding and flame cutting work must not be less than 18 years of age," he said.

"When the regulation comes into effect, a proprietor who fails to ensure the work is performed by a certified person commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000."

"Also, a person undertaking gas welding and flame cutting work should produce the valid certificate upon demand by an Occupational Safety officer of the Labour Department. Failure to do so is an offence and liable to a fine of $10,000," he added.

End/ Wednesday, December 26, 2001

NNNN