As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (August 14) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.

     Yesterday night (August 13) and in the small hours today (August 14), a large group of protestors unlawfully assembled at the Hong Kong International Airport. They detained, harassed and assaulted a visitor and a journalist, inflicting physical and mental harm on them. Police severely condemn such radical and violent acts of the protestors.
      
     Regarding the first case, police officers were deployed as per a request from the Airport Authority Hong Kong to assist ambulance officers and an injured visitor to leave. However, numerous protestors continuously hurled miscellaneous objects and aimed laser beams at police officers, during which a police officer was assaulted and his baton was snatched. In order to protect himself from threats to life or serious injury, the officer withdrew a pistol and stayed on guard.
      
     As to the second case, a male journalist was violently treated by a number of protestors. The victim’s hands were tied with plastic straps, and was assaulted and detained by the protestors, he even fainted for a short period of time.
      
     In the end, ambulance officers successfully sent the two victims to Princess Margaret Hospital and North Lantau Hospital respectively.
      
     In the incident, Police have arrested five persons for offences including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons, assaulting police officers and breaching of the peace. Two police officers were injured and sent to North Lantau Hospital.
      
     Investigation by the District Crime Team of Airport District is underway.
      
     Police severely condemn the protesters' acts which disregarded the law and order. Police reiterate that an in-depth investigation will be conducted, tracing all clues, to bring assailant to justice.

     In response to the violent acts of protesters at the Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (August 13) night, a Government spokesman said the following:

     A large number of protesters had assembled at the airport since yesterday afternoon, paralysing airport operation and causing serious disruption to both inbound and outbound travelers.  At night, some violent protesters went even worse as they besieged and assaulted a traveler and a reporter, as well as obstructed an ambulance crew from taking the traveler to hospital.  A number of violent protesters attacked a police officer when the Police attended to the incident, seriously jeopardising the officer’s personal safety. 

     The Government severely condemns these violent acts, which are outrageous and have overstepped the bottom line of a civilised society.  The Police will take relentless enforcement action to bring the persons involved to justice.

     Tonight (August 13) a visitor was assaulted and is currently being besieged by a large group of protestors at the Hong Kong International Airport. He requires immediate medical attention but the protestors concerned have been obstructing ambulance officers from rendering medical assistance.
      
     As per a request for assistance from the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Police appeal to the protestors to stop their obstruction so that the visitor can receive timely medical attention.
      
     Police stress that this is not an operation to disperse those assembled but is for extricating the visitor safely.