Civil Aviation Department’s National Studies Program Enhances Leadership Skills and Strengthens Aviation Ties with Mainland China.

CAD and aviation management personnel complete National Studies and Visit Program

The seven-day National Studies and Visit Program for the management personnel of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and Hong Kong’s aviation industry concluded today (June 28). On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the department, CAD invited the management personnel from various local civil aviation organisations to take part in the national studies course at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) together and conduct site visit to a number of aviation facilities there. The program aimed at enhancing participants understanding of the country’s development and visionary strategy, so as to continue to work together to promote the aviation development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, said that with full support by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the course is tailor-made to meet the professional needs of CAD and local aviation industry. Mr Liu expressed his sincere gratitude to the Administrator of the CAAC, Mr Song Zhiyong, for attending the first day of the course as keynote speaker, in which he shared the high-quality development of the civil aviation in China, and provided participants with high-level professional guidance and forward-looking insights. He also acknowledged the support of the Vice President of the National Academy of Governance, Mr Li Wentang, in meeting with the course participants, and providing guidance to the teaching team.

The course covers various topics including national policy, national security, foreign affairs, technologies and civil aviation. The participants also had opportunity to visit Beijing Daxing International Airport, as well as the trio of the CAAC (namely the Operation Management Centre, Aviation Meteorological Centre and Aeronautical Information Service Centre), with a view to deepening connection with the Mainland authorities, as well as the experts and scholars there.

A total of 30 management personnel from CAD and aviation sector participated in the program. The Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, Ms Clara Wong, represented CAD to attend the graduation ceremony. After that, she joined the participants to proceed to Tianjin, and paid visit to the “Uprising of the Two Airlines” Exhibition Hall and Civil Aviation University of China, to gain a deeper understanding of our country’s civil aviation development.

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

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 28) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as 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 a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an 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 that 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.