Protecting Public Safety     Inspecting buildings over 40 years old and with electrical installations having approved loading of not exceeding 100 amperes, to step up electrical safety of buildings.       Electrical Safety       Continuing Professional Development for the Trade       A key achievement of the Electricity Legislation Division in 2011 was in making preparations for the introduction of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, which made CPD a condition of registration renewal for all Registered Electrical Workers (REWs) from 1 January, 2012. The scheme provides REWs with a two-module programme of training, covering “legislative and safety requirements” and “technical knowledge”, before applying for renewal of registration. Developed in full consultation with the trade, the CPD scheme is seen as a milestone in fostering a continuous training culture for the electrical trade in Hong Kong.       Electrical Safety of Buildings       The Division also made major initiatives to enhance the electrical safety of buildings in Hong Kong. First, with the aim to establishing a safe working culture in the trade and avoiding power interruptions to the buildings due to electrical accidents, Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs) are required to strictly follow safety requirements in carrying out Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification (PITC) work for main switchboards by suspending the power company’s electricity supply. Starting from December 2011, RECs have also been required to provide power suspension records together with WR2 submissions. Second, the Division is now stepping up enforcement actions in old buildings of more than 40 years of age and with electrical installations having approved loading of not exceeding 100 amperes. There are more than 2,200 such buildings in Hong Kong. Owners of buildings identified with potential risk of electrical safety will be required to carry out PITC works.   Once buildings are identified with potential risk of electrical safety, owners will be required to carry out PITC work.       Incidents Trend       After several years of steady decline, the number of electrical incidents for fixed electricity installations and third-party damage to electrical supply lines showed a slight increase in 2011. Electrical product incidents remained the same as the previous year.       EMF-compliant Electric Products       The year under review also saw the introduction of a mandatory Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Certificate. From 1 January, 2011 all electrical products imported into Hong Kong have to comply with the new IEC 62233 or EN 50366 electromagnetic safety standards. This brings Hong Kong into line with world standards, ensures that the EMF does not exceed the standards, and delivers public health benefits to local consumers.           Using New Media The Electricity Legislation Division set up a dedicated YouTube video channel in 2011 to allow viewers to more easily access a variety of videos on electrical safety. These include Announcements of Public Interest and other informational videos as well as training videos for the trade. The Division is planning to venture further into new, interactive media so as to more effectively reach out to a younger IT-savvy audience and encourage them to browse our Elect r icity Information Corner on mobile devices.   Dedicated channel on new media to facilitate easy access to electrical safety videos and information.       Working with the Trade       The Division has continued to work closely with the trade to enhance electrical safety and better serve the public. An example was our pro-active efforts to coordinate power sub-station maintenance work and PITC works of buildings. We are encouraging the power companies, building owners and RECs to collaborate with each other so that their electrical work can be carried out simultaneously, thus minimising repeated power suspensions and disruptions to the public.   A Geographic Information System helps enhance the effectiveness of PITC enforcement work.         Electrical Incidents Figures     Third Party Damage to Electricity Supply Line Incidents   Electrical Product Incidents   Fixed Electrical Installation Incidents         Cultural Change for the Trade The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement as a mandatory condition for REW registration renewal, effective 1 January, 2012, is a milestone in fostering a continuous learning culture in the electrical trade in Hong Kong. REWs now regularly attend training courses, which are available from more than ten qualified organisations, including worker unions, contractor associations, the power companies as well as academic and professional institutions. Our aim is to help members of the trade engage in continuous learning and thus regularly update their technical skills and safety and statutory knowledge. Registered Electrical Workers watch a training video that is part of the Continuing Professional Development Scheme.       Fukushima Nuclear Incident Monitoring       The Division provided technical support to the relevant government bureaux in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear incident caused by the devastating tsunami in Japan on 11 March, 2011. We have set up dedicated teams to assist the relevant government bureaux in monitoring the situation.       Greater Transparency       As of 1 January, 2011, details of RECs and REWs disciplined for failing to comply with statutory requirements will be made public via the EMSD website. The Electrical Safety Advisory Committee has also enhanced its transparency by making the minutes of its meetings available on the EMSD website. As always, members of the public are welcome to observe the Committee’s meetings in person.       Further Improvements       With improvements in the accuracy of PITC database, the Division has adopted a Geographic Information System to enhance the overall effectiveness of PITC enforcement work. We have also set up a dedicated YouTube channel to share safety information and videos with the public and the trade. We continue to strengthen our partnership with the trade in order to foster a continuous learning culture in the industry and better serve the community.       We regularly conduct crisis and incident drills, sometimes jointly with the trade.       Gas Safety       Civil Service Award for Safety Initiatives       Two gas safety initiatives by the Gas Standards Office won awards in the Regulatory / Enforcement Service category of the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2011. The “Reviving Gas” team, which adopted a risk-based approach to enhancing the safety of town gas risers on buildings in Hong Kong, secured the Silver Award; while the “One Extra Step” initiative, which ensures the efficient execution of underground tank revalidation works in LPG gas filling stations throughout the territory, won the Bronze Award.       The Gas Standards Office celebrates the winning of two awards in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2011 for two outstanding gas safety initiatives.       Gas Incidents Trend       The Gas Standards Office noticed that there was an increase in recent infrastructure and external wall repair projects throughout Hong Kong and gas pipes were aging. To prevent an upward gas incidents trend, further risk-based preventive and rectification actions are therefore called for. These include supporting and monitoring gas supply companies in replacing aged pipes, conducting risk-based assessment of potential pipe leaks, enhancing leakage survey of gas pipes that are considered more susceptible to leakage, and urging riser owners to replace corroded risers.             “Reviving Gas” for Riser Safety Wins Award Our “Reviving Gas” team has adopted a risk-based approach to promote gas safety and enhance timely maintenance and repair of town gas risers – the external pipes that deliver gas from the utility company’s gas mains to users within a building. Most riser incidents are caused by corrosion due to lack of maintenance. Working with Towngas, the Gas Standards Office has introduced multiple ongoing measures such as use of the Riser Health Index to identify high-risk buildings, stepping up safety inspections, and urging property owners to conduct improvement works. Strategic communications are being used to encourage owners to conduct regular safety inspections. As a result of the efforts of “Reviving Gas”, riser incidents have been substantially reduced since 2007. The initiative also won the Silver Award in the Regulatory / Enforcement Service category of the Civi l Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2011.       Inspectors check and re-validate an underground tank in a housing estate with piped LPG supply system. Workers carry out follow-up works after re-validation of the housing estate underground LPG tank.       Focus on Regular Safety Inspection       Regular Safety Inspection (RSI) was a focus in 2011. We recommend that domestic users arrange for an RSI once every 18 months and commercial users do so every 12 months. To ensure that users follow this schedule, we have urged Towngas and the LPG supply companies and their dealers to follow up more closely with their customers; as a result, the RSI success rate has improved. RSI is the key to incident prevention and we will continue to rigorously promote it.       Trade Communication       Frequent communication with the trade is important to facilitate compliance and good practices. In LPG vehicle maintenance, for example, the Office has produced a video that is a summary of repair and maintenance of LPG vehicles as a reference for LPG vehicle mechanics. At the same time, we promote transparency by regularly updating information such as the ceiling prices of auto LPG at dedicated LPG filling stations and gas quality test data on the EMSD website. The Office is also working on enhancing audit procedures at the Tsing Yi LPG terminals for better monitoring of hardware and management practices.       Gas Safety Advisory Committee meeting in progress.         “One Extra Step” for LPG Filling Station Work Wins Award The Gas Safety Ordinance requires the underground tanks in all 62 LPG filling stations in Hong Kong to be checked and re-validated. If not well managed, this work could lead to major traffic disruptions and inconvenience to LPG taxis and minibuses. The Gas Standard Office thus launched the “One Extra Step” initiative in 2008 to plan and prepare for the re-validation process. The Office studied user patterns at LPG filling stations and concluded that gas filling services must be suspended during re-validation works. A comprehensive works plan was then developed. It included prior communication with the LPG vehicle trade about the planned suspensions, liaison with the Police and Transport Department to put in place necessary contingency measures, and the diversion of LPG vehicles to nearby stations while re-validation work is in progress. To date, more than 30 LPG stations have completed re-validation works with minimum disruption. The initiative also won the Bronze Award in the Regulatory / Enforcement Service category of the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2011.   One of the 62 LPG fillings stations in Hong Kong that the “One Extra Step” gas safety initiative aims to serve.       Mechanical Safety       Lifts and Escalators Bill Makes Good Progress       A major step forward in 2011 was the progress of the Lifts and Escalators Bill through the Legislative Council (LegCo). The Bills Committee had substantially finished vetting the Bill by the end of year, with resumption of the second reading of the Bill expected in the first quarter of 2012. With the completion of the legislative procedure expected in April 2012, the community will soon be benefitting from a strengthened regulatory framework, under which the responsibilities for lift and escalator safety will be shared in a more balanced manner among owners, management companies, contractors, engineers and workers, with heavier penalties for offences.   The Contractors’ Performance Rating Scheme for registered escalator contractors introduced in September 2011 has enhanced the transparency of the escalator maintenance trade.   CPR for Registered Escalator Contractors       The Contractors’ Performance Rating (CPR) Scheme for registered lift contractors, which was introduced by EMSD in June 2009, has significantly contributed to transparency in the performance of the trade. In September 2011, the General Legislation Division extended the CPR scheme to registered escalator contractors. This means that escalator owners and building management agents can now access to performance information for choosing an appropriate escalator contractor.       Restoring Confidence in Escalator Safety       An escalator incident happened in Beijing in July 2011 in which the steps of a subway escalator suddenly reversed their travelling direction. The incident caused some concern in Hong Kong as more than 80 escalators of the same model were in use in the territory. The Division took immediate steps to inspect these escalators and found no mechanical abnormalities. Our prompt response helped restore public confidence in escalator safety.       Existing Lifts Modernisation       Our efforts to promote lifts modernisation continue, with a focus on lifts installed more than 20 years ago. We have distributed Guidelines for Modernising Existing Lifts booklets to all key stakeholders, including lift owners, contractors and building management companies, and have also held seminars to explain in detail how modernisation measures can take existing lifts to a new level of safety, reliability and comfort.       A meeting of the Task Force on the Lifts and Escalators Bill. The Task Force has contributed significantly to the drafting and legislation process.       Visitors enjoying new rides launched in 2011 at Hong Kong’s two theme parks.         New Rides Launched       The two theme parks launched a total of eight new amusement rides in 2011, significantly boosting Hong Kong’s amusement ride portfolio. Though some new rides experienced minor teething problems in early operational stage, their operation were resumed normal after minor system adjustment.       A number of ride stoppages at Ocean Park have led it to implement additional notification protocols after discussion with EMSD. For instance, if a ride experiences mechanical or operational failure which may affect its safe operation, the Park will immediately post a notice on the corporate website and at its main entrance, among other measures to inform guests about the closure.       Ngong Ping 360 Incidents       Three incidents led to temporary suspension of service of the Ngong Ping 360 in December 2011. The three incidents were caused respectively by: partial wear of the lining of the haul rope sheave in the Ngong Ping Terminal; a fault at a small scale roller bearing of the cabin transportation system in the Tung Chung Terminal; and a fault at the cabin spacer of the Ngong Ping Terminal. In all three instances the faulty parts were promptly replaced and the normal service of the cable car was resumed without undue delay. In addition, EMSD instructed Ngong Ping 360 to enhance daily routine inspection of the ropeway, examine the entire cable car system, and conduct a comprehensive review of the maintenance regime of the cable car installation, in order to enhance the service reliability of the ropeway.       Ngong Ping 360 undertook a review of the system’s maintenance procedures after three incidents in December 2011. Another new ride in a theme park.       Tasks Ahead       The Division has been gearing up to implement the Lifts and Escalators Bill, which is expected to be passed by LegCo during 2012. We will need to be ready to promptly register thousands of lift workers and to launch an extensive publicity programme to educate the trade and the public about the distribution of responsibilities for lift and escalator safety under the new ordinance. The Division’s LEO computer system will be upgraded to help us enforce the new ordinance. At the same time, we will continue to monitor rides and ropeway systems, alongside ongoing efforts to promote the modernisation of aging lifts.         Lift Modernisation Briefings Further to publishing Guidelines for Modernising Existing Lifts in 2011, the General Legislation Division held a series of briefings for the trade and property management companies. Our officers explained the solutions we recommend installing to make existing lifts safer, such as a double brake system, an unintended car movement protection device, and an ascending car overspeed protection device. The audience was reassured that existing lifts, if properly maintained and regularly examined, are safe, though there is room for improvement. The suggested solutions aim to make existing lifts safer and more reliable and comfortable. More briefings are planned for 2012.         New Ratings for Lift Contractors' CPR To enhance the Contractors’ Performance Rating (CPR) Scheme for registered lift contractors introduced in June 2009, we revised in 2010 the rating methodologies of the scheme in collaboration with the trade. Implemented in February 2011, the new rating system has a full mark of 100, as compared to 10 previously. The 100 marks comprise two parts, the maintenance index and the safety index. The maintenance index reflects the contractor’s performance in routine maintenance, while the safety index reflects the contractor’s safety performance. The new ratings give more information about contractor performance in different aspects of their work. With a wider marking range, the new rating system also expresses finer differentiations in different contractors’ performances.       Our engineer carries out routine safety inspection in a train.       Staff of MTRCL and Railways Branch after a regular joint working group meeting.       Railways Branch staff testing one of seven new MTR trains delivered in 2011. Detailed testing and inspecting in a new MTR train.       Railway Safety       MTR Standards and Practices Review       A spate of 14 rail breakage incidents since 2008 disclosed in 2011 prompted a comprehensive assessment of the standards and practices of MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to assess how rail procurement and quality control and the inspection and maintenance of rails relate to rail breakages. MTRCL engaged the Institute of Railway Technology at Monash University (MU), Australia to carry out the study and compare its practices with those of other railway operators. EMSD also commissioned the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) of the United Kingdom to independently review the consultancy report. The MU report found that the overall performance of MTRCL in managing rail breakage risks was comparable to that of other similar rail systems worldwide, but recommended that the latest European standards should be adopted for all procedures and tests in respect of material supply, rail welding and non-destructive testing. Both ORR and EMSD, after scrutinising the MU report, agreed that MTRCL should adopt the latest European standards. In addition, EMSD also recommended that MTRCL should conduct random inspections of items within each batch of rail components shipped to Hong Kong to ensure that no damage has occurred during transit. The various recommendations were adopted by MTRCL and accepted by the LegCo Panel on Transport’s Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways.         Independent Oversight The rail breakage incidents in early 2011 caused some concern among the public. In response, MTRCL commissioned Australia’s Monash University (MU) to independently study its standards and practices with regard to rail procurement, quality control, inspection and maintenance. The Railways Branch scrutinised the MU report and engaged the UK Office of Rail Regulation to critically review it to ensure that its scope and methodology were appropriate. We examined the programme drawn up by MTRCL to implement the recommendations in the MU report, and made additional recommendations for improvement, thereby discharging our regulatory duty as an independent oversight body.       MTR’s existing and new trains side by side in depot, ready for service. Automatic Platform Gates completed in 2011 at the Kowloon Bay MTR station.       New MTR Trains and APGs       Another highlight in 2011 was the successful commissioning of new trains. MTRCL purchased ten new trains in 2008 to strengthen the fleet serving the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island and Tsang Kwan O lines. In total, seven trains were delivered in 2011. The Railways Branch has been monitoring the various safety and performance tests to which the new trains are subject. We also previously made site visits to the manufacturer in Changchun to ensure compliance with safety standards. Testing of two new trains was completed during the year and these were put into service on the Kwun Tong Line in December 2011. The installation of Automatic Platform Gates (APGs) at the remaining eight above-ground MTR urban line stations, namely Kwun Tong, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon Bay, Kwai Hing, Kwai Fong, Tsuen Wan, Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan was completed in 2011. The next phase of installation will encompass the Ma On Shan Rail and East Rail stations. All stations on new heavy rail lines will have APGs or Platform Screen Doors installed.       The new-generation tram launched in November 2011, combining a modern interior with a traditional exterior. The new driving interface in the new tram.       New-generation Tram Launched       Tram improvement works continued in 2011. Hong Kong Tramways Limited launched its new-generation tram in November 2011. Combining a modern interior with a traditional exterior, the new trams have a lighter and more durable aluminium structure and improved safety features, including CCTV to monitor boarding and a new driving interface for better control, as well as other new features to enhance passenger comfort and information. The entire fleet of over 160 trams will eventually be renovated.       XRL Progress       The Railways Branch’s design vetting work for the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) is progressing as scheduled, covering fire services, ventilation and various electronic and communication systems. Construction of the West Kowloon Terminus also commenced in 2011 and all remaining XRL-related contracts are expected to be awarded in 2012. The Railways Branch will continue to monitor the design of safety-critical systems and will also provide input to MTRCL on the scope of the independent safety assessment of XRL.       International Railway Safety Conference       The International Railway Safety Conference (IRSC) is a key forum that brings together railway safety professionals from around the world to exchange information, experiences and lessons learnt to improve railway safety. The Railways Branch joined the IRSC Core Group in 2010 as a member to demonstrate our commitment to railway safety and to keep ourselves abreast of the latest developments in international railway safety regulations and operational standards. Looking ahead, the Railways Branch will continue to monitor the progress of the European Railway Agency in developing common safety indicators. It will also seek to develop benchmarking data and key performance indicators for railway safety in Hong Kong.         New Tram Vetting During 2011 we vetted the safety features of new tram cars designed by Hong Kong Tramways Ltd as part of a programme to modernise its operations. To enhance the safety and comfort of passengers, the new tram cars have a lighter aluminium body and feature AC traction motors, automatic flap entry gates, CCTV and ergonomically designed seats. Four new trams had been tested and put into service before the end of December 2011.