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EMPLOYMENT
The fifth careers exhibition was held at the new railway terminus complex at Hung Hom from November 19-28. It was opened by Sir Denys Roberts, the then Acting Governor. Some 22 exhibitors from commerce, industry and government took part in the exhibition, which attracted nearly 92,000 visitors. During the year 11 mini careers exhibitions were staged on a specially designed truck which called at housing estates, parks, community centres and schools.
Industrial Health
The industrial health unit of the Labour Department provides an advisory service to the government and industry on matters relating to the health of workers. The unit is primarily concerned with protecting workers against physical and chemical hazards in their working environment and preventing occupational diseases. Potential health hazards in the working environment are reported by the factory inspectorate and officers of the unit, and a further check is kept through the statutory notification of occupational diseases. Control is achieved by environmental and biological in- vestigation and monitoring, and through health education. The unit's laboratory, staffed by technicians specially trained in industrial hygiene, has been designated as a collaborating laboratory on air pollution by the World Health Organisation.
The functions of the laboratory include the measurement of concentrations of various chemicals in the air-such as chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, solvents, dust, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The laboratory investigates and monitors environmental conditions such as noise, thermal comfort, ventilation and lighting. It also investigates industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Medical and pathological examinations are arranged for workers exposed to risks of lead, fluoride, silica dust, ionizing radiation and other occupational hazards, and for divers and workers in compressed air.
Responsibility for the clinical examination and medical assessment of injured workers lies with the industrial health officers who are medically qualified. Visits to homes and places of work of injured workers are made by nurses and health visitors of the industrial health unit.
The workmen's compensation' unit administers the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance and is responsible for ensuring that injured workers or their dependants receive the compensation to which they are legally entitled.
The air pollution control unit has a team of 12 smoke inspectors who operate under the air pollution control officer. The unit is responsible for the administration of the Clean Air Ordinance, the Clean Air (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Instal- lation and Alteration) Regulations, and the Clean Air (Restriction and Measurement of Smoke Emission) Regulations. It offers free constructive advice and technical assistance to the industrial and commercial sectors on the efficient use of fuel and the reduction of smoke emissions and other aerial pollutants.
Industrial Training
In 1973 the Governor appointed the Hong Kong Training Council to advise him on measures necessary to ensure a comprehensive system of manpower training geared