Occupational Safety and Health
Goods vehicle fitted with tail lift
| Q1. |
What are the legal requirements of the Labour Department (LD) with regard to the safe use of tail lifts? 
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| Q2. |
Is it necessary to strictly follow the illustrations/ photos in the GN to install the safety devices?
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| Q3. |
Apart from the requirements stipulate in the GN, what should I pay attention to when installing safety devices on tail lifts?
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Content | |
| Q1. | What are the legal requirements of the Labour Department (LD) with regard to the safe use of tail lifts? |
| A1. |
According to the general duties provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Cap. 509) and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap. 59), proprietors/ employers shall, so far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain safe plant (including tail lifts) and systems of work. They shall also provide necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the occupational safety and health of their workers/ employees. The LD has issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Trapping Hazard of Tail Lifts” (GN), which provides practical guidance for the duty-holders. The GN has specifically set out the requirements on safe operation of tail lifts of lorries, including the installation of the following safety devices, so as to comply with the general duties provisions:
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| Q2. | Is it necessary to strictly follow the illustrations/ photos in the GN to install the safety devices?
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| A2. |
The GN aims to provide safety guidance for general purpose tail lifts. Proprietors/ employers should take into account of different designs, uses, types, models of the vehicles/ tail lifts to install the safety devices. The illustrations/ photos in the GN are for reference only. As long as the safety devices could serve the purpose to protect the occupational safety of workers/ employees in accordance with the principles set out in the GN, they are deemed to comply with the safety requirements of the GN. |
| Q3. | Apart from the requirements stipulate in the GN, what should I pay attention to when installing safety devices on tail lifts? |
| A3. |
Proprietors/ employers while fulfilling the requirements of the GN shall also comply with the relevant regulations/ requirements of other government departments, such as the "Fire Safety Guidelines for transportation of Class 2 or 5 Dangerous Goods” issued by the Fire Services Department. For details, please see the letter issued by the LD to the relevant vehicle owners with the Fire Safety Guidelines attached (Chinese only) through the following hyperlink.
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