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 (June 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 13) 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 (June 13) 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 Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) and the Highways Department (HyD) are highly concerned about the recent media enquiries and reports on the construction of the To Kwa Wan Station under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project.
      
     After learning of the incident on June 5, the HyD requested the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) on June 5 and 7 to provide relevant information of the incident.  The THB also required the MTRCL to provide details of the incident as soon as possible.
      
     According to the written reply from the MTRCL to the HyD on June 8, their contractor did not follow the construction drawings to carry out part of the works for the reinforced concrete wall adjacent to the staircases at the To Kwa Wan Station platform. The MTRCL stated that they had already required the contractor for an explanation and rectification as soon as possible. The contractor is also required to submit follow-up and remedial plans for MTRCL's consideration. However, the MTRCL's reply did not contain information such as the extent of the wall in question, the cause of the incident, the supervision of works and the impact on the structure, etc.
      
     The HyD wrote to the MTRCL on June 11 again expressing dissatisfaction that the incident was not reported to the HyD timely. The HyD was disappointed and considered it unacceptable that the MTRCL could not identify the relevant problem during its supervision of the works.  The HyD has required the MTRCL to submit a report within a week (i.e. on or before June 18) with detailed explanation of the cause of the incident and rectification plan.