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The Commissioner for Labour will be empowered to recognise training courses for operators of five additional types of loadshifting machines from September 1 under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said today (August 20) that the machines were compactors, dumpers, graders, locomotives and scrapers, which were used on construction sites.
The Labour Department reminded organisations interested in running training courses for the five loadshifting machines to submit their applications as soon as possible.
"The regulation sets out the training and certification requirements for operators of specified loadshifting machines," the spokesman said.
"It stipulates that the responsible person of a loadshifting machine should ensure that loadshifting machines are operated only by employees who have received recognised training and are in possession of a valid certificate. On the other hand, the operator of a loadshifting machine has the duty to attend the training course provided," he explained.
"As a first step, the Commissioner for Labour will recognise training courses for the operators of the five types of loadshifting machines. This enables the operators to receive training. After a sufficient number of operators have been trained and issued with certificates, we will consider putting into effect the provision for these machines to be operated only by persons with valid certificates," he said.
According to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation, at present six types of loadshifting machines must be operated by people who hold a valid certificate. These machines are fork-lift trucks, bulldozers, loaders, excavators, trucks and lorries.
Enquiries can be made on the department's hotline on occupational safety and health on 2559 2297.
Ends/Sunday, August 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:01
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