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Employment
sector. It continued to promote the Occupational Safety Charter and Workplace Hygiene Charter which urge employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment at their workplaces, and organised safety award schemes for the construction and catering industries.
During 2012, the Labour Department held over 770 courses and talks for some 15,400 employees to help them better understand the occupational safety and health laws. Some 39,600 people attended the department's more than 1,200 health talks. The department collaborated with the OSHC, employers' associations and trade unions in the catering industry to help prevent work-related leg disorders and carbon monoxide poisoning to kitchen workers. The department also collaborated with the OSHC, the Construction Industry Council, and relevant employers' associations and workers' unions to publicise heat stroke prevention measures in construction sites and other outdoor workplaces.
Occupational Health Clinics
The Labour Department provides occupational health services to workers at its occupational health clinics in Kwun Tong and Fanling, and some 13,000 clinical consultations with workers were held in 2012.
Occupational Safety and Health Council
The OSHC promotes occupational safety and health in Hong Kong through training, promotions, consultancy, research and information services. In 2012, 1,999 courses on occupational safety and health were held, attended by 44,773 trainees. With the launching of 10 major infrastructure projects, the OSHC introduced a new series of courses targeting high-risk operations. To harness the latest electronic teaching technology, interactive electronic learning platforms and simulated learning software programmes were developed. An electronic examination system was implemented to enhance effectiveness and provide detailed analysis of data collected.
In collaboration with the Labour Department, the 'OSH Star Enterprise - Pilot Scheme on RMAA Safety Accreditation' was launched to encourage the RMAA sector to take practicable safety measures to improve the work environment and reduce occupational injuries. The scheme helped insurers to identify safety-conscious contractors and provide them with discounted premiums for employees' compensation insurance. In addition, the OSHC gave technical advice and financial support for procuring safety equipment to small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Other SME sponsorship schemes were launched to enhance catering safety and electrical works safety.
In partnership with government departments and relevant organisations, the OSHC conducted various promotional activities to enhance construction safety, and promoted occupational health for professional drivers, including the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and heat stroke at work. The OSHC also developed teaching material for secondary schools and worked closely with District Councils and local organisations to promote the 'Safe Community' programme advocated by the World Health Organisation.
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