SAFETY MEASURES FOR MOTORISED GRASS-CUTTERS

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many people have been injured as a result of being hit by objects flung by motor grass-cutters up to the latest convenient date; and (b) what measures he proposes to take to ensure that users of such machines will strictly observe safety requirements so as to prevent these ugly incidents from happening again.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: (a) Our records show that for the three-year period from

1 January 1983 to 15 July 1986, a total of 10 members of the public have been injured as a result of being hit by objects flung up by rotary open blade grass-cutters used by contractors engaged by the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) and the Housing and Development Board (HDB). (b) The PRD and HDB require several safety measures to be observed by the grass cutting workers:

(i) All grass cutting machines must have protective guards.

(ii) Grass cutting workers must carry on their back warning signs to warn passers-by.

(iii) Grass cutting workers must stop operating the rotary open blade grass cutters when there are people within reach of the grass-cutters.

PRD and HDB carry checks on the grass cutting workers. Penalty actions ranging from imposition of fines to debarment will be taken against those found contravening the safety rules.

PRD and HDB are at present testing a new model of grass cutter which is fitted with an all-round plastic guard to prevent objects from being flung up by the rotary cutting blades. If found suitable, grass cutting contractors would be required to use it.