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 6) 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 Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" 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.

     Hongkong Post announced today (August 6) that, as advised by the postal administration of Italy, mail delivery services to the Aosta Valley region in Italy previously impacted by severe weather have returned to normal.

     Following the launch of the new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system, SmartPLAY, in November 2023, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will implement new arrangements to enhance the convenience of SmartPLAY users when booking the fitness room facilities with effect from September 1.

Purchase of fitness room monthly tickets
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     SmartPLAY offers multiple channels for users to purchase fitness room monthly tickets anytime and anywhere, which include the website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home), a mobile app (My SmartPLAY) and Smart Self-service Stations.

Booking and check-in arrangements for fitness room users
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     According to the current practice, fitness room monthly ticket holders (MTHs) can proceed to the fitness room to register for the use of the facilities on a first-come, first-served basis. If the quota has already been filled, MTHs have to queue up at the venue. To enable users in planning their usage time and fitness training schedule in advance, as well as saving queuing time, new arrangements will be implemented starting from November 1, and MTHs are required to pre-book a fitness room session through SmartPLAY within seven days before using the fitness room facilities. There is no limit to the number of sessions that can be booked in a day. Unlike the booking arrangements for other recreation and sports facilities
(www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/02/P2023110200221.htm), booking for fitness room facilities starts at 8am for the sessions on the seventh day, regardless of whether the ticket holder is using a monthly or an hourly ticket. For example, a session on November 7 can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis on November 1 from 8am onwards. Under the new arrangements, from September 1 onwards, the pre-sale period of fitness room monthly tickets will be changed from 90 days to 30 days, while the validity period of the tickets will remain unchanged.

     Fitness room users who have booked fitness room sessions can use the original copy of their Hong Kong identity cards to check in for the facilities at the self-service check-in devices located outside the fitness room within 15 minutes before the start of the booked session, and check in for the consecutive booked sessions in one go.

Cancellation arrangements for fitness room users
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     Fitness room monthly or hourly ticket holders who have booked a session/sessions should cancel their booked session(s) as soon as possible if they are unable to show up for registration or fully utilise their booked period. Users are required to cancel their booked session(s) through the SmartPLAY system one day before the start of the booked session(s).

     The LCSD reminds fitness room users that they must be present during the booked session(s). The venue staff will inspect whether the monthly or hourly fitness room ticket holders are present at the time of the booked sessions and are using the facilities. Users are required to present their identity documents again upon request by the venue staff. If it is found that the hirer is not using the facilities at the venue during the booked session, a record of the hirer "not being present during the use of the booked session" will be filed, and the case will be handled according to the requirements stipulated in the Conditions of Use of Recreation and Sports Facilities issued by the LCSD. A hirer of a fitness room who fails to check in for the booked session(s) and/or is not present during the use of the booked session(s) on two occasions within 60 consecutive days will have his/her booking rights for fitness rooms and other sports facilities (including advance booking, on-the-spot booking and free use of facilities) suspended for 90 days. The suspension will take effect two days after the second occasion when he/she fails to check in for the booked session(s) and/or is not present during the use of the booked session(s). There will be no refund of any part of the monthly ticket fees paid by the MTHs.

     For more information on the use of fitness rooms and conditions of use for recreation and sports facilities, please visit the LCSD website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/fitness/index.html and www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html).

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to three major international sports events to be held in August, namely the BOC Life Cup – Kitchee vs Atlético de Madrid (August 7), the 2024 World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship (August 15 to 24) and the 2024 the 12th Yao Foundation Charity Game (August 20).
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (August 6) that like all other "M" Mark events, the successful hosting of these top-tier international sports events can enhance Hong Kong's position as a centre for major international sports events and showcase the vibrancy of Hong Kong, bringing a wide variety of experiences to citizens and tourists.
      
     "Hong Kong has made historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, igniting a city-wide passion for sports. These three new 'M' mark events will present spectators with spectacular on-site experiences, and contribute to the development of Hong Kong's sports industry, thereby further enhancing Hong Kong's status and reputation in the global sports arena," Mr Ng said.

     The "M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local "national sports associations" and private and non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. 
      
     For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

     Hongkong Post announced today (August 6) that, as advised by the postal administration of the French Polynesia, mail delivery services previously impacted by the local strike have returned to normal.