EMPLOYMENT
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The Industrial Hygiene Unit is concerned with protecting workers against environ- mental conditions which may adversely affect their health. The unit carries out field surveys to evaluate the working environment of industrial undertakings and recom- mends measures to reduce industrial hazards. It also investigates complaints about working conditions and injuries caused by chemicals.
Other main duties of the unit include the investigation of standards of thermal comfort, ventilation, noise and lighting, and the measurement of concentrations of airborne contaminants such as lead, manganese, mercury, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, chromic acid mist, solvent vapours, silica and other forms of dust.
The laboratory of the Industrial Health Division is responsible for the biological monitoring of workers, such as those handling fluoride and lead. It conducts analyses of samples taken for purposes of environmental monitoring. Collaborating in the World Health Organisation Air Pollution Study, the laboratory is responsible for the air pollution monitoring programme in Hong Kong.
Workmen's Compensation
The Workmen's Compensation Division administers the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. It ensures that injured workers and dependants of deceased workers obtain from their employers, without undue delay, workmen's compensation in respect of injuries or death by accidents or occupational diseases arising out of, or in the course of, employment.
The Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Ordinance 1978, which came into operation on January 13, 1978, raises the wage ceiling for non-manual workers to $5,000 a month. It also extends the time limit for applying for compensation to 24 months, imposes a surcharge on delayed payment of compensation, and provides for uniformity in assessment of injuries.
The Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 1978, which will come into effect on a date to be appointed, adds pneumoconiosis to the list of occupational diseases covered by the ordinance. The Workmen's Compensation (Pneumoconiosis) Unit, established in May, 1978, is making preparations to administer this amending ordinance.
In February, 1978, the Commissioner for Labour appointed a working party to review the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance with a view to ensuring that it meets present-day needs and circumstances. The working party met 14 times and considered a number of major issues. A report on its findings was submitted in December, 1978.
Industrial Training
The Hong Kong Training Council was appointed by the Governor in 1973 to advise him on the measures necessary to ensure a comprehensive system of manpower train- ing, geared to meet the developing needs of Hong Kong's economy. On the council's recommendation, the Governor appointed 10 industry training boards and five com- mittees to help the council. The 10 training boards deal with the training needs and problems of 10 major industries: automobile repairs and servicing; building and civil engineering; clothing; electrical; electronics; machine shop and metal working;