EMPLOYMENT
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action. Surveys were conducted in various industries and a number of epidemiological studies on health and hygiene conditions were completed. Programmes to monitor various occupational health hazards were also carried out.
The division carries out medical examinations on persons exposed to ionising radiation, users of compressed-air breathing apparatus and government employees engaged in diving or pest control. It also takes part in the Pneumoconiosis Medical Board to assess workers suffering from silicosis under the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance. Nurses of the division handle medical clearance for employees' compensation cases. Its occupational health officers are appointed as members of special assessment boards and prostheses and surgical appliance boards under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
The laboratory of the division, which is a member of the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, continued to carry out analytical tests on environmental samples taken during site visits.
Occupational Safety and Health Council
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The Occupational Safety and Health Council aims to promote a safer and healthier working environment through education and training; promotion of the use of modern technology; dissemination of technical knowledge; provision of consultancy services and encourage- ment of co-operation and communication among government and non-governmental bodies with similar goals. The council, a statutory body, is financed by a levy on the premium of all employees' compensation insurance policies in Hong Kong.
The council has established 10 industry-based safety and health committees and two advisory committees the Chemical Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Occupational Health Advisory Committee.
The council continued to expand the types and number of courses offered to the general public. A joint course scheme with the Labour Department was replaced in the second half of the year by a series of new safety and health courses for managers, professionals and supervisors. New courses in safety auditing; ergonomics; industrial ventilation and the safe operation of lorry-mounted cranes, steam boilers and steam receivers were among those organised during the year. The council also continued to conduct safety and health training courses for graduate engineers in conjunction with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and laboratory safety training for laboratory technicians with the Government Laboratory. Co-operating with the City University of Hong Kong, it organised a certificate programme to boost the number of safety officers in Hong Kong. Tailor-made courses were also designed for construction contractors, hotels, building management companies and manu- facturing firms. A total of 5 500 persons attended the council's courses in 1994.
During the year, the council organised 14 seminars and undertook several research projects. It continued to provide consultancy services on a cost recovery basis.
Campaigns to arouse public interest included the Occupational Safety and Health Week held in November. There was a significant increase in co-operation with district-based organisations in staging promotional activities.
To fulfil its role in the dissemination of technical information, the council produces safety and health literature, codes of practice and guidebooks, a bi-monthly journal Green Cross, safety advice pamphlets, bulletins for individual industries and posters. A comprehensive library on occupational safety and health is open for public use.