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The Charter will cover the whole range of occupational safety and health issues for employees in both industrial and non-industrial sectors, including employees in the retail trades as well as office workers. The Charter will make clear the rights of the worker to enjoy a safe working environment and the employer's obligations to prevent deaths and injuries. It will also emphasise the responsibility of the employee to co- operate with his employer in following safety working practices and reporting workplace hazards.
Implementation of the Charter will enhance the safety awareness of the employers and employees. We believe that if employers and employees abide by the Charter, use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow operational manuals and guidelines, the standard of occupational safety and health will be greatly enhanced.
End/Wednesday, November 15, 1995
Ma On Shan housing project
Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is reported that a Housing Department development project in Area 90 of Ma On Shan is several months behind schedule. According to the report, the piling contractor of the project blamed the delay on the discovery of underground marble caverns but this was denied by the Chairman of the Building Committee of the Housing Authority. The piling contractor further accused the Chairman of the Building Committee of having a "substantial conflict of interest" because he is also a senior partner of the architectural firm which designed the development project. In this connection, will the Administration inform this Council:
(a) whether the problem of underground marble caverns was anticipated and
whether allowance for such problem was made in the design of the project;