The Highways Department (HyD) announced today (April 26) that in response to requests from interested tenderers, the tender period for the contract for Central Kowloon Route – Remaining Works (Contract No. HY/2023/08) has been extended to noon on May 17.
 
     The HyD invited tenders for the contract on March 15. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on May 3.
 
     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today.
 
     The HyD has appointed Arup – Mott MacDonald Joint Venture (AMMJV) as the consultant to design and supervise the construction works. For enquiries, please contact AMMJV at 2268 3560.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 26) that due to big waves and inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District; and Hap Mun Bay Beach and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (April 26) announced that the tender period for the contract for drainage improvement works in Wong Tai Sin (Contract No. DC/2024/03) has been extended to noon on May 17.

     The DSD invited tenders for the contract on March 22. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on May 3.

     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available at the DSD's website (www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Tender_Notices/Current_Tenders/index.html).

     The DSD has commissioned WSP (Asia) Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 2579 8899 during office hours.

     The Rating and Valuation Department today (April 26) released online the Hong Kong Property Review 2024, which contains statistics and commentaries on the local property market in 2023 as well as forecast completions in 2024 and 2025.

     The full contents of the publication are available for free viewing and downloading through www.rvd.gov.hk/en/publications/hkpr.html.

     Further enquiries can be directed to the department by contacting the Technical Secretary (Information) at 2150 8807.

     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 (April 26) 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.