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Review of industrial safety in Hong Kong
Following is the speech by the acting Secretary for Education and Manpower, Miss Jacqueline Willis, in a motion debate on the review of industrial safety in Hong Kong in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
I welcome the motion put forward by Dr Samuel Wong and amendments to the motion that it had stimulated as it offers me an opportunity to explain Government policy and future plans on improving safety and health in the workplace.
Industrial Safety
Government has always taken industrial safety, and for that matter, occupational safety and health of our workforce very seriously. During the last decade we have made considerable efforts to improve the standards of industrial safety in Hong Kong. The principal legislation governing safety and health at work is the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (FIUO). In 1989 the FIUO was amended to impose general duties on the employers and employees. Under the provision, employers are responsible for taking all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of all persons employed at the workplaces. Workers also have the duty to exercise reasonable care at work and co-operate with their employers on safety measures.
In 1990 the FIUO was extended to cover the catering industry. New regulations under the FIUO were introduced to require the employment of safety officers and safety supervisors at construction sites, the training and certification of operators of cranes and suspended working platforms in 1986, 1993 and 1994 respectively. A Safety Programme Promotion Unit was also set up within the Labour Inspectorate Division of the Labour Department in 1987 to assist the industry to promote voluntary safety programme such as safety committees, safety policy and publicity activities.
With the onset of the Airport Core Programme (ACP) in 1991, Government, as an employer, introduced special contract conditions to enhance the safety standard at ACP works sites. Our contractors are required, for example, to employ extra safety personnel, implement safety plans, set up site safety committees, conduct safety audits and carry out tool box meetings with workers. The use of special contract conditions to improve industrial safety has been extended to the Public Works Programme and the Housing Authority's works projects.