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Friday, January 4, 1974
RECORD HIGH IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
The number of accidents at work reached a new peak last year,
bringing the total toll to 304 dead and 30,214 injured.
Releasing these figures today, the Commissioner of Labour, Mr.
I.R. Price said he was gravely concerned about the effects of such
accidents on Hong Kong's work force and economy. "A conservative estimate
of the amount of workmen's compensation involved was $20 million, while
the number of man-days lost, was about 520,000."
Mr. Price said occupational acidents were costing the economy
hundreds of millions of dollars a year, "If Hong Kong is to maintain its
competitivenoss in international markets, such damaging accidents must
be reduced."
However even more disturbing than the econ mic waste is the painful
and irreparable human suffering resulting from these accidents.
As in previous years, the majority of accidents occurred in
industrial undertakings and of these about 25 per cent occurred in the
construction industry which was responsible for the largest number of accidents,
killing more than 500 workers and injuring 30,000 during the past 10 years.
However, Mr. Price expected a considerable improvement in the
situation after the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations become affective
in May this year. These regulations impose stringent requirements to ensure
the safety and welfare of workers engaged in that industry,
Mr. Price