EMPLOYMENT
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Occupational Safety and Health
The Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the Labour Department administers the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and their subsidiary legislation to protect the safety and health of employees at work in almost all economic sectors.
Enforcement of the legislation is carried out through routine inspections of workplaces and special campaigns. To arouse safety awareness among employers and employees and to facilitate compliance with the law, the department promotes the Occupational Safety Charter, publishes a wide variety of guidebooks and codes of practice and undertakes other activities such as organising safety campaigns and award schemes, exhibitions and seminars.
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Safety
The Boilers and Pressure Vessels Division of the Labour Department administers the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance to ensure the safe use and operation of pressure equipment. The division conducts regular spot checks on pressure equipment. It also conducts examinations for the issue of Certificates of Competency, investigates accidents and undertakes activities to promote safety.
In 2003, the division processed 1 537 applications for registration of equipment, conducted 6 494 inspections, and issued 425 Certificates of Competency and endorsements.
Occupational Health
The Occupational Health Service of the Labour Department aims to protect the health of workers from hazards in the workplace environment. The service sets occupational health standards, monitors occupational hygiene practice in the workplaces and enforces occupational health and safety legislation. It undertakes medical examinations for radiation workers and government employees engaged in hazardous occupations, provides clinical consultation for employees with a work- related illness, investigates occupational diseases, arranges medical assessments for injured employees, and conducts health educational and promotional programmes for workers. The service also provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment of decompression sickness in divers.
In 2003, the service enhanced its inspection of hospitals, homes for the elderly and workplaces undergoing cleaning and disinfection to ensure the adequate provision and training in the use of personal protective equipment for workers.
Occupational Safety and Health Council
The Occupational Safety and Health Council was established in 1988 to foster a safe and healthy working environment in Hong Kong through training, promotion, consultancy, information services and research.
Training and promotional initiatives for high-risk industries are the council's priorities. A total of 15 000 persons attended the 650 training courses organised by the council in 2003. Classroom training was strengthened with practical sessions on gas welding, forklift truck operation, working in a confined space, working at a height, abrasive wheel operation, and use of fire extinguishers. The council also provided training on the application of psychology in safety management and occupational rehabilitation to enable employers to assist injured employees to return