7
Employment
training. Occupational safety and health standards have improved through the years with the concerted efforts of employers, employees, contractors, safety practitioners and the government.
In 2018, there were 35,964 occupational injuries, a drop of 9.1 per cent from the 39,579 cases a decade ago. Over the same period, the number of industrial accidents fell 22 per cent, from 13,600 to 10,602. There were 400 cases of occupational diseases confirmed in the year.
Inspection and Enforcement
The department adopts a risk-based approach to inspect workplaces to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health laws, particularly in high-risk industries and work processes such as work-at-height activities, and at organisations with poor safety records. Special enforcement operations target workplaces and trades which tend to be risk-prone, such as new construction sites; repair, maintenance and alteration works sites; waste management premises; logistics, cargo and container handling areas, and food and beverage services. Enforcement is strengthened in the summer to protect outdoor workers from heatstroke.
In 2018, the department served 2,816 improvement notices on companies and other organisations, urging them to improve safety conditions promptly, and 647 suspension notices to stop those work activities or the use of plant or substances that posed imminent risks of death or serious bodily injury to employees. The department secured 2,431 convictions, resulting in penalties totalling $25.63 million.
Promotion and Education
The Labour Department works with the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC), other government departments, major trade associations and labour unions to raise awareness of occupational safety and health and the relevant laws among employers and employees in different industries. It promotes the Occupational Safety Charter, which urges employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment at their workplaces, and organises safety award schemes for the construction and catering industries. In 2018, the department held 2,132 courses, lectures and talks for over 72,200 employees.
The department also works with the OSHC, Construction Industry Council, employers' associations and workers' unions to promote the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders to industries such as catering and retail services, and to publicise heatstroke prevention measures at construction sites and other outdoor workplaces. In 2018, the department produced a set of new guidelines on how to prevent health risks associated with standing at work.
Occupational Health Clinics
The department provides occupational health services to workers at its occupational health clinics in Kwun Tong and Fanling. It held 10,890 clinical consultations with workers in 2018.
Occupational Safety and Health Council
Through training, promotion, consultancy, research and information services, the OSHC partners with different industries to improve their work safety and health standards. An ongoing
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