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 (May 27) 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.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (May 27) will be cancelled.

     If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by then, the flag-raising ceremony may be resumed without further notice.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tai Po tonight (May 26) in which a woman died.

     At around 7pm, the 30-year-old woman was riding a bicycle along Tai Mei Tuk Road towards Tai Mei Tuk town centre. When travelling downslope near 66 Tai Mei Tuk Road, she reportedly lost control of her bicycle and rammed into a drop barrier.

     Sustaining chest injuries, the woman was rushed to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 8.12pm.
 
     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team one of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, will lead a Judiciary delegation to visit Shanghai and Zhejiang for five days starting tomorrow (May 27). The delegation will meet with the Executive Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, Mr Deng Xiuming, attend seminars, and have professional exchanges with Mainland judges on court operations and related judicial issues such as commercial litigation and the use of technology in court. This visit is part of the on-going exchanges between the Judiciary and Mainland courts.
 
     Other members of the delegation include Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, Chief Judge of the High Court; Madam Justice Carlye Chu Fun-ling, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; Mr Justice Godfrey Lam Wan-ho, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; and Madam Justice Linda Chan Ching-fan, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court.
 
     The delegation will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of May 31. During Chief Justice Cheung's absence from Hong Kong, Mr Justice Roberto Alexandre Vieira Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, will be the Acting Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal.

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

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (May 28) to consider an application for transfer and amendment of a liquor licence.
          
     The application is:
 
Hong Kong:
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Sushi Sumi in Central

     The board will also consider revocation of the liquor licence of 121BC in Central.

     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.