布政司署
港下亞畢道
本署檔號
*YOUr Ref.:
** OUR REF.: (12) in SS13/3231/78
D/O
(2)
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
16th February 1979
Industrial noise and workmen's compensation
I refer to your letter dated 8 Jamiary to
Alfred Morris and Jack Ashley which you kindly and sub- sequently forwarded-to me. I have obtained the advice of the Commissioner for Labour on some of the points raised in your letter and I am sure you would wish to be made aware of the Commissioner's comments.
2.
It is not correct to say that there is no "disability allowance" for deafness under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. This Ordinance pro- vides for compensation for loss of hearing arising out of and in the course of employment: 20% loss of earning capacity for loss of hearing in one ear, and 70% for total loss of hearing. And I should like to add, for your personal information, that the Working Party conducting a comprehensive review of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance has in its report recommended that the total loss of hearing should be revised to 100%.
3.
You will also wish to know that the Environment Branch is in the course of consulting interested departments on its proposal to draft a noise abatement bill. In this bill it is envisaged that the enforcing authority of industrial noise will be the Director of Urban Services.
4.
During 1978 the Labour Department conducted a review of the problem of industrial noise during which the Labour Advisory Board was consulted. The problem of industrial noise is a complex one and its control is extremely difficult. In many cases the necessary technical knowledge does not exist particularly in relation to local conditions and in those cases where it does the financial outlay to achieve even a modest improvement is very high indeed. The United Kingdom has no legislation to control the exposure of industrial workers to noise, despite legislation on health and safety dating back to 1802.
see (13)
5./