Occupational Safety and Health
Personal Protective Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions on Occupational Safety and Health
| Q1. |
What are the ear protectors that have been approved by the Commissioner for Labour?
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| Q2. |
What are the approved specifications for eye protectors?
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| Q3. |
What are the specifications for suitable safety helmets and safety shoes?
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| Q4. |
What are the respiratory protective equipment that have been approved by the Commissioner for Labour for protection against asbestos dust at work?
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| Q5. | How can I select suitable approved respiratory protective equipment for protection against asbestos dust? |
| Q6. | What are the Breathing Apparatuses that have been approved by the Commissioner for Labour for use in confined spaces? |
| Q7. | What type of protective helmets shall be used in a blasting process with the use of sand or free silica as an abrasive? |
| Q8. | What types of safety helmet, safety rope and safety harness should be used in a quarry? |
| Q9. | How can a manufacturer of personal protective equipment submit an application to the Commissioner for Labour to make its product as an approved ear protector, an approved respiratory protective equipment for asbestos work, or an approved breathing apparatus for use in confined spaces? |
Content
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| Q1. | What are the ear protectors that have been approved by the Commissioner for Labour? |
| A1. |
The Commissioner for Labour has approved a list of ear protectors (PDF) under Section 7 of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Noise at Work) Regulation, Chapter 59T.
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| Q2. | What are the approved specifications for eye protectors? |
| A2. |
The Commissioner for Labour has approved a list of specifications
under Regulation 4 of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Protection of
Eyes) Regulations, Chapter 59S.
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| Q3. | What are the specifications for suitable safety helmets and safety shoes? |
| A3. |
Some common standards of safety helmets are listed in Chapter 6.2 of the publication 'Guidance Notes on the Selection, Use and Maintenance of Safety Helmets' (PDF) and some common standards of safety shoes are listed in the following table.
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| Q4. | What are the respiratory protective equipment that have been approved by the Commissioner for Labour for protection against asbestos dust at work? |
| A4. |
The Commissioner for Labour has approved a list of respiratory protective equipment for protection of workers against asbestos dust under Section 4 of Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Asbestos) Regulation, Chapter 59AD. They are grouped under five categories as below: |
| Q5. | How can I select suitable approved respiratory protective equipment for protection against asbestos dust? |
| A5. |
Useful guidance for selection of approved respirators for asbestos work can be found in the Appendix VI - Selection guide to approved respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for protection against asbestos dust) (PDF) of the Code of Practice - Safety and Health at Work with Asbestos.
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| Q6. | What are the Breathing Apparatuses that have been approved by the Commissioner for Labour for use in confined spaces? |
| A6. |
The Commissioner for Labour has approved a list of breathing apparatuses (PDF) for use in confined spaces under Section 12 of Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulation, Chapter 59AE. Attention: You are reminded to use any cylinder approved by the Director of Fire Services pursuant to regulations 64 and 66 of Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations, Cap.295B. For details, please visit the following website of Fire Services Department: https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/safety/regulation_GCAE.pdf
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| Q7. | What type of protective helmets shall be used in a blasting process with the use of sand or free silica as an abrasive? |
| A7. |
According to regulation 3 of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Blasting by Abrasives) Special Regulations, Chapter 59C, protective helmets used/ to be used for a blasting process shall be a type approved by the Commissioner for Labour or any officer authorized in writing by him. If a proprietor wants to submit an application for approval of protective helmet, please submit a duly completed Application Form (AF-HELMET) to the Labour Department together with the associated documents. Applicants shall read the Information sheet – Application for approval of protective helmet (IS-HELMET) to understand the procedures and follow the instructions.
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| Q8. | What types of safety helmet, safety rope and safety harness should be used in a quarry? |
| A8. |
According to regulations 17 and 18 of the Quarries (Safety) Regulations, Chapter 59F, the proprietor of every quarry shall provide for every person who works on any top, face or floor in the quarry an approved type of safety helmet, safety rope and safety harness. Since 1 March 1991, the statutory powers for the administration of the Regulations have been transferred to the Director of Civil Engineering and Development. For details of the approved types of safety helmet, safety rope and safety harness, please contact the Civil Engineering and Development Department.
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| Q9. | How can a manufacturer of personal protective equipment submit an application to the Commissioner for Labour to make its product as an approved ear protector, an approved respiratory protective equipment for asbestos work, or an approved breathing apparatus for use in confined spaces? |
| A9. |
If a manufacturer or an authorized representative wants to submit an application for approval of the three types of personal protective equipment, please complete and submit the Application Form (AF-PPE) to the Labour Department together with the associated documents. Applicants must read the Information sheet for submission of equipment for approval (IS-PPE) to understand the procedures and follow the instructions.
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