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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
for registration were withdrawn. 176 factories found operat- ing in unsuitable buildings were closed down, and 192 registration certificates were surrendered for cancellation, the premises for which they were issued having ceased to be used as factories. At the end of 1956 there were 2,275 places of employment registered under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, and 652 in course of registration. These figures do not include 392 recorded establishments, which are premises not registrable under the Ordinance but kept under observation by the inspectorate; nor do they include the numerous small industrial premises which are subject to inspection to ensure compliance with provisions relating to the employment of women and young persons.
A total of 17,122 visits were made by the labour inspector- ate during the year. Of these, 1016 were concerned with industrial or occupational accidents and workmen's com- pensation; 756 were night visits to industrial premises in connexion with the employment of women and young persons during prohibited hours; 109 were wage inquiries; 424 were connected with the employment of young persons; and 14,817 were routine inspections for the enforcement of safety, health and welfare provisions.
Industrial Health. The Industrial Health Officer, appoint- ed to the Department in 1955, was available for full time duties from April 1956, when a special Section was organized for industrial health work, which expanded steadily during the year. The Industrial Health Officer, assisted by a labour inspector specializing in health matters, maintains an office in the Department but, in addition, uses part of the Govern- ment Chemical Laboratory for the analysis of samples. Much of his time during the year has been spent in obtaining and designing equipment.
As there is no system of notification of industrial diseases, few cases have come to light. Cases discovered have been investigated and, where necessary, surveys have been made