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 (July 16) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Kwun Yam Beach, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Upper Cheung Sha Beach and Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District; Trio Beach, Hap Mun Bay Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Task Force on Land Supply will hold the third public forum (New Territories West) to gauge public views on land supply options. Details and enrolment arrangements are as follows:
 
Date: July 28 (Saturday)
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: Yuen Long Town East Community Hall
            (9 Long Yat Road, Yuen Long, New Territories)
 
     The forum will be conducted in Cantonese. Simultaneous interpretation in English will be available. Interested members of the public may register from tomorrow (July 16) at 9am by using the following methods:
 
(i) Online: www.landforhongkong.hk/en/participation/engage_act.php;
 
(ii) Email/Fax: Download registration form from the above website for return via email (pflandforhongkong.hk@a-world.com.hk) or fax (2865 2559); or
 
(iii) Telephone: 2114 4972 (9am to 5pm).
 
     Registration will close on July 20 (Friday) at 5pm. In view of the limited seating capacity at the venue, only one seat can be reserved for each registration and requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
      
     The dates and venues of the roving exhibitions to be held by the Task Force from August 1 to September 2 are as follows. The exhibition period is 11am to 8pm.
 

     Enrolment arrangements and other details of the last public forum, and the details of other roving exhibitions in September will be announced in due course.
      
     For enquiries, please contact the Public Engagement Director for the Task Force by telephone at 2114 4972 (9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays)) or email (pflandforhongkong.hk@a-world.com.hk).

     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 (July 15) 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (July 17) to consider five applications for new issue or renewal of liquor licences.

     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Hong Kong:
————–
FUSSION CURRY 188 in Sheung Wan
Stazione Novella in Central
 
Kowloon:
———–
LB BAR in Tsim Sha Tsui
Max in Prince Edward
H.OURS in Mong Kok
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.