Introducing the course, Head of the GEO, Mr Raymond Chan Kin-sek, said that it was an interactive course given in three course levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced and is designed for students, members of the public, property owners and parties concerned, as well as professional engineers/property management personnel.
The course is set up in the "Slope Safety Island" of the Hong Kong Slope Safety Website (http://hkss.ced.gov.hk). The beginner course contains interactive multimedia functions and games on how to maintain man-made slopes and retaining walls. The intermediate course is more comprehensive and informative, whereas the advanced course includes more technical and procedural contents.
Explaining the need for enhanced education on slope maintenance, Mr Chan noted that the public had maintained a sustained high level of awareness and understanding of slope safety and slope maintenance.
"However, the public may lack an understanding of slope maintenance standards and they do not possess adequate experience in handling technical matters," he said.
The course had provided a free educational tool on slope maintenance on internet to enable slope owners to obtain information on slope safety standards and technical matters whenever needed, he added.
Apart from the training course, GEO has also published guides, including "Geoguide 5: Guide to Slope Maintenance" and a "Layman's Guide to Slope Maintenance", to provide handy guidance to slope owners on slope maintenance.
GEO's Community Advisory Unit (CAU) also proactively approaches property owners, owners' corporations and mutual aid committees to advise them on how to maintain and upgrade their slopes. Besides, the unit also provides meet-the-public service to answer queries and provide information on slope safety matters.
Mr Chan said the public could call CAU staff (on tel 2760 5800) who were most happy to answer questions on slope matters.
He said GEO also produced a Model Slope Maintenance Plan and a Training Video CD for free delivery to private slope owners.
To spread slope safety messages to primary school students, GEO is also producing cartoon books on key slope safety messages.
"The intention is to educate our younger generation that poorly maintained slopes can endanger lives," he said.
"Through our intensified publicity and public education campaigns on slope maintenance, I hope that slope owners could stay alert to their slope conditions and carry out maintenance works whenever needed to prevent landslides," he added.
End/Friday, March 29, 2002
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