​The Labour Department (LD) today (September 16) published a revised Code of Practice on Mechanical Handling Safety in Container Yards (CoP).
 
     A spokesperson for the LD said, "The CoP provides practical guidance to proprietors of industrial undertakings of container handling to facilitate their compliance with relevant legislation so as to protect the work safety of workers at container yards."
 
     The spokesperson continued, "A notice has been published in the Gazette today on the issuing of the revised CoP, the major revisions of which cover requiring the installation of reversing video devices on front loaders and reach stackers so as to further improve work safety in container yards."
 
     The revised CoP will take effect on December 16.
 
     Front loaders and reach stackers are commonly used in container yards for handling containers. When operating these large machines, operators' vision may be obstructed by the huge bodies of the machines and could not observe the entire rear condition, even with rear view mirrors installed. Workers have been struck by reversing front loaders or reach stackers, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. In view of this, the LD has made relevant amendments to the CoP to include the requirements of installing reversing video devices on front loaders and reach stackers.
 
     The spokesperson added, "This CoP has a special legal status. In criminal proceedings, if a relevant person fails to observe any provision of this Code, that failure may be taken by a court as a relevant factor in determining whether or not a person has breached the relevant safety and health legislation."

     The revised CoP can be downloaded from the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8b.htm). Enquiries about the CoP can be made at 2559 2297.

Ends/Friday, September 16, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:00

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