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1. The Committee notes with interest the information supplied by the Government in its report and the detailed regulations annexed to the report. It notes that, essentially, these regulations are composed of texts adopted by the authorities of two ports and do not cover similar operations in other ports in the country. Since in its report the Government states that in place of unified rules and regulations for all the ports in the country, each port authority lays down regulations for its own use, the Committee requests the Government to supply with its next report the text of regulations that are in force in all the other ports so that it can assess the situation as regards the application of the Convention at the national level.

2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate how effect is given to the following provisions of the Convention: Article 2 (the state of regular approaches over a dock, wharf, quay or similar premises used by workers); Article 3 (means of access to ships: their dimensions, construction, condition and manner of securing); Article 5 (means of access to the holds of ships for carrying on processes therein); Article 6 (measures for the protection of hatchways and all other openings in a deck); Article 8 (safety measures for workers engaged in removing or replacing hatch coverings); Article 9, paragraph 2(3) (annealing of chains and similar gear whether carried on board ship or not); Article 9, paragraph 2(6) (guards on motors, cog-wheels, chain and friction gearing, live electric conductors); Article 9, paragraph 2(8) (measures to prevent exhaust steam from obscuring any part of the working place); Article 11, paragraph 4 (procedure for commencing work at a hatch); Article 11, paragraph 5 (precautions to facilitate the escape of workers employed in loading or unloading bulk cargoes); Article 11, paragraph 6 (use of stages for various operations); Article 11, paragraph 7 (use of hoisting gear when the working space in a hold is confined to the square of the hatch); Article 11, paragraph 9 (use of an automatic indicator or a table showing the safe working loads in the case of shore cranes); Article 14 (prohibition on removing or interfering with means of access or safety by any person except when duly authorised); Article 16 (obligation to apply the measures set out in the Convention to ships, the building of which is commenced after the date of ratification); Article 18 (undertaking by the member State to enter into reciprocal arrangements with the other Members who have ratified this Convention).

3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide details on the following points:

Articles 4 and 11, paragraph 3, of the Convention. How are these Articles applied in ports other than Huangpu?

Article 9, paragraph 2(2) and (4). The Committee notes that in the provisions set out in paragraph 1, Chapter II; paragraph 2, Chapter IX; paragraph 2, Chapter X; et al. of the Safety Rules for the use of mobile loading and unloading machines and equipment, the wording "according to the normal maintenance rules" is used on several occasions. It requests the Government to specify what is meant by this formula and to indicate whether it is compulsory to keep records of the inspections envisaged under the above provisions.

Article 9, paragraph 2(6). Must all the parts of hoisting machines and gear on board ship that represent a danger for the worker (motors, cog-wheels, electric conductors, etc.) be provided with guards?

Article 9, paragraph 2(7) and (9). What means are used to reduce to a minimum the risk of the accidental descent of a load while in the process of being lifted or lowered and to prevent the foot of a derrick being accidentally lifted out of its socket or support?

Article 13. Does the national legislation lay down that supplies of first-aid equipment shall be available at docks, wharves, quays and similar places so that first-aid can be rapidly rendered?

Article 17, paragraphs 2 and 3. What inspection system exists in the country and what measures have been taken so that copies or summaries of the regulations are posted up in prominent positions in places which are used for the processes?