EMPLOYMENT
talks, seminars, conferences and competitions. Advertisements were put up on major transport carriers and broadcast on radio and TV.
In 1998, a series of codes of practice and other publications were published to promote the standards required by various safety legislation and to instil in the public an awareness of safety. In all, 260 publication stands were placed at convenient locations for their distribution. The OSHB and the Occupational Safety Health Council also jointly produced a CD-ROM containing safety publications for the public. Construction safety newsletters, catering safety newsletters and occupational safety and health bulletins were produced regularly to provide the public with up-to- date information.
The OSHB's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre conducted legislation-related briefing sessions and train-the-trainers courses for trainers, supervisors and managers. It gave safety talks to trade associations and workers unions, as well as other private and government organisations. The centre continued to assist the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the City University of Hong Kong in organising evening courses leading to the award of certificates in industrial safety. It also helped the Construction Industry Training Authority to run certificate courses for construction safety officers, and helped interested parties in the construction and container-handling industries to develop training and certification schemes in order to meet legal requirements.
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Safety
The Boilers and Pressure Vessels Division administers the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance to ensure the safe use and operation of pressure equipment. The division conducts a regular programme of spot checks to ensure pressure equipment meets safety standards; investigates accidents involving pressure equipment; conducts examinations for the issue of certificates of competency and promotes equipment safety. It gives the Fire Services Department technical advice on the approval and initial inspection of pressurised cylinders and storage installations for compressed gases.
In 1998, the division processed 2 330 equipment registration applications, inspected 6 246 factories and 4 730 items of pressure equipment, and issued 593 certificates of competency and endorsements. It assisted the Haking Wong Technical Institute and the Occupational Safety and Health Council in organising training courses on the safe operation of pressure equipment. Two publicity safety seminars attracted 213 persons.
Occupational Health and Hygiene
The Occupational Health Service of the Labour Department aims at protecting the health of workers from hazards in the work environment through disease surveillance, treatment, workplace investigation, health promotion and education. It provides advisory service to the public, and supervises health standards and practices in the workplace. Apart from investigating occupational diseases and potential health hazards, the service also undertakes medical examination for radiation workers and government employees engaged in certain hazardous work such as diving, asbestos work and pest control. The service runs an occupational health clinic, arranges medical assessment for injured workers and provides medical support for the Recompression Chamber. By early 1999, a second occupational health clinic and a
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