Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (August 12) will be cancelled.

     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 12) 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.

      In response to media enquiries on Exhibition Centre Station and To Kwa Wan Station of Shatin to Central Link works project, a government spokesman today (August 11) responded as follows:

      The Highways Department (HyD) required the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to suspend the relevant excavation works of Exhibition Centre Station yesterday (August 10). The HyD together with the Monitoring and Verification (M&V) consultants inspected the areas today in the vicinity of the monitoring points under their purview and where the highest level was exceeded. No obvious structural safety problem was found. Also, no abnormal conditions were observed near the underground utilities concerned. The Buildings Department (BD) also inspected the buildings in the relevant areas and no obvious structural problem was found. Furthermore, the HyD required the MTRCL to re-visit all the monitoring data for review by the HyD. The excavation works for Exhibition Centre Station can be resumed only when public safety is assured. 
 
     In addition, as regards media reports about the settlement of the buildings and some underground facilities in the vicinity of To Kwa Wan Station due to its construction works, the HyD together with the M&V consultants and the BD had arranged staff to inspect the 23 buildings yesterday. No obvious structural safety problem was found. Furthermore, no obvious abnormal condition near the underground facilities was observed.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 11) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Repulse Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.