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container handling. In 2004, the department conducted 14 special enforcement campaigns and 793 prosecutions were initiated. Altogether, 613 improvement notices and 77 suspension notices were issued.
Intelligence Reporting System
Accidents involving small renovation and maintenance projects have become increasingly a matter of concern. As these projects are very often completed within a short time and involve only a few people, it is difficult to locate the worksites and take enforcement action. To pin down the targets, the Labour Department set up an intelligence reporting system with the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies Limited. This has enabled association members to report renovation and maintenance projects at properties under their management to the department's occupational safety officers for prompt action.
Prevention of Transmission of Infectious Diseases in the Workplace
The Labour Department carried out a series of inspections of high-risk workplaces such as hospitals, clinics and elderly homes to ensure that the ventilation of these workplaces met the required standard and that staff were provided with adequate personal protective equipment and training on its use to prevent the spread of SARS and other infectious diseases. In 2004, the department conducted 1 702 inspections and issued 29 improvement notices and 603 warnings.
Promotion and Education
Promotion and Publicity
In 2004, the department launched a variety of promotional campaigns and publicity drives to enhance occupational safety and health. These activities included seminars, safety forums, thematic talks, roving exhibitions, TV and radio programmes, advertisements, promotion of the Occupational Safety Charter and Occupational Hygiene Charter, and organisation of the safety award schemes for the construction and catering industries.
Mandatory Basic Safety Training
The Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance requires mandatory basic safety training for people engaged in construction work and container handling operations. Upon satisfactory completion of the training, workers are issued with a certificate, commonly known as the Green Card, valid for three years. To revalidate the certificate, the worker has to attend a half-day refresher course every three years. By the end of 2004, over 699 000 people have obtained the Green Card for working on construction sites and container handling workplaces. Some 271 000 workers have completed the half-day refresher course.
Occupational Safety and Health Education
The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department offers training courses and tailor-made talks to help workers understand the requirements of occupational safety and health legislation. In 2004, the centre organised over 800 such courses and talks for some 13 000 employees. Apart from