Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorm
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 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 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.
Source: AI-generated images
DH signs Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines with Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to promote implementation of innovation and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, today (September 11) witnessed in Beijing the Department of Health (DH) and the Experimental Research Center (ERC) of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), which is a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), signing a Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines (Co-operation Agreement) that covers a period of five years. The Co-operation Agreement reinforces the exchange and collaboration, jointly promote the modernisation and innovation of Chinese medicines, as well as the advancement of high-quality development of Chinese medicines.
Witnessed by Dr Ronald Lam, Director of the Department of International Co-operation (Office of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan Affairs) of the NATCM, Mr Wu Zhendou, and the Vice President of the CACMS, Dr Yang Hongjun, the Co-operation Agreement was signed by the Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, and the Deputy Director of the ERC, Dr Yuan Yuan.
The areas of collaboration include reinforcement on research and standardization of Chinese medicines quality testing, establishment of Chinese medicines quality testing data platforms, holding expert meetings on different fields of Chinese medicines jointly. The Co-operation Agreement enhances the standard of local Chinese medicines testing technology, reinforces the exchange and collaboration on testing technology, nurtures innovative talents and further foster the internationalisation of Chinese medicines, so as to align with the national development strategies for Chinese medicines as outlined in the Development Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period.
"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the NATCM and the CACMS for their continuous support to the DH, including sending Chinese medicine experts to join Hong Kong to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, arranging acupuncture experts to provide guidance and training for local Chinese medicine practitioners on smoking cessation services with the Chinese medicine and acupuncture, sending Chinese medicine experts to assist Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in conducting the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination, and inviting HKSAR Government to participate in the 'the Fourth National Survey of Chinese Materia Medica Resources' and providing guidance in various technical aspects. We have maintained close collaboration on the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine and to the development of global health over the years. I earnestly look forward to deepening our co-operation and exchange in Chinese medicine through the Co-operation Agreement signed today, and continue to work together to build a healthy China, healthy Greater Bay Area, and a healthy Hong Kong!", Dr Lam said.
After the signing ceremony, Dr Lam visited the ERC and the National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica of the CACMS, to learn about the latest development of Chinese medicines testing and research work in the Mainland and had discussion with professional staff in the laboratories. Dr Lam stated that upon the completion and commissioning of the new building of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, there will be more opportunities for both parties to collaborate on Chinese medicines research, allowing more research results to be published in the new journal Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The DH has been actively facilitating exchange and co-operation with the NATCM in the testing and reference standard research of Chinese medicines. Both parties will implement the work related to promoting the high-quality development of the traditional Chinese medicines industry as outlined in the Development Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period, including the joint construction of a quality testing platform for Chinese medicines, and accelerating the standardisation, informatisation, modernisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicines. Under this synergistic effect, it can further promote the Chinese medicines industry towards high-quality development.
DH signs Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines with Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to promote implementation of innovation and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH signs Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines with Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to promote implementation of innovation and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
