CARTRIDGE-OPERATED FASTENING TOOLS (Regulations for possession and use)

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour if he will take steps to control the importation, sale, possession and use of cartridge-operated fastening tools as they are dangerous tools and may also be used as lethal weapons.

The Minister of State for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour): Sir, records in the Ministry of Labour show that so far there has been only one report of a non-fatal accident involving the use of cartridge-operated fastening tools. For this reason the need for regulations on the importation, use or possession of these tools has not been felt so far. However, in view of the high injury potential of cartridge-operated fastening tools, consideration will be given to the introduction of special regulations for the possession and use of these tools.