48
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
conjunction with the labour inspectorate. Where a whole trade appears to be involved, standard conditions are drawn up which can be applied to every factory; in the case of silicosis an Inter- departmental Committee has been set up to investigate the problem as a whole. In nearly every case of occupational disease it is possible to follow-up the individual workers affected and to keep their workplaces under observation.
All newly opened factories are inspected by an Industrial Health Officer who advises on environmental and occupational health problems. These inspections provide an opportunity to keep a watch for possible hazards and to make further investigations when necessary. During the year a preliminary survey of tempera- ture and humidity in a group of textile factories was made with a view to the possible introduction of limits on the use of artificial humidification.
Advice is given on the improvement of existing medical arrange- ments in factories. Particular attention is given to concerns where women supervisors are employed at night. The inclusion of first aid rooms is required in all newly built factories where the size, the nature of the trade or other circumstances warrant it, and suggestions are made regarding the design and equipment of such facilities. Satisfactory liaison has been established with many of the general practitioners working in industry.
First aid classes for factory workers are organized with the help of St. John Ambulance Association. During the year 4 classes were held and 80 workers trained, making a total of 191 workers trained in 10 classes since the inception of the scheme.
With the appointment of a health visitor to the Section at the beginning of March and of another on 1st October it has been possible to follow-up a large proportion of industrial accident cases and ensure that they obtain necessary treatment and, where possible, rehabilitation. There is no rehabilitation centre or service in the Colony as yet, but much can be done for individual cases to assist them in making use of the services which are available. The Industrial Health Officer is a member of the Committee of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, a voluntary organiza- tion formed during the year to expand rehabilitation facilities for those disabled in industry or in other ways.