The Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung-yiu, addressed a marine industrial safety seminar last (Thursday) night which aimed at raising the awareness of cargo handling workers on the importance of industrial safety.
Over 200 people from the industry attended the seminar, which was jointly organised by the Marine Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) for the first time.

Mr Tsui said to enhance marine industrial safety, existing legislations would be amended to list out requirements and guidelines on issues like safety training, operation and checkup of cranes on vessels, and wearing of protection equipment.

He hoped that legislative procedures could be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

The Director also said that recommendations of a consultant study on the reduction of hazards in mid-stream container handling operations, which was expected to be completed in September, would be used as reference for the issue of codes of practice on work safety for the sector.

During the seminar, staff of the Marine Department gave an analysis on cargo handling industrial accidents, briefed the attendants on relevant new regulations, and spoke on safe operation of winch and mooring, while an OSHC consultant talked on the training courses for shipboard cargo handling workers and supervisors.

Friday 14 May, 1999