XN000022-1972-12-12 — Page 5

Tuesday, December 12, 1972

MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS ENCOURAGED

Industrialists in Hong Kong are continually encouraged by the

Labour Department to set up medical care facilities for their employees.

A spokesman of the Labour Department said; "Several of the

larger and more progressive industrial undertakings have provided staff

clinics on their premises. Many more provide the service of a medical

practitioner".

Under the Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay and Sickness

Allowance) Ordinance, employers can apply for their clinics to be recognised

by the Director of Medical and Health Services.

To safeguard workers' health, the Labour Department has requested

the St. John Ambulance Association to undertake the instruction and

examination of industrial workers in first aid.

The spokesman said; "The Industrial Health Division, whose principal

functions are to prevent occupational diseases and to promote industrial

health, has officers attached to the medical boards at Queen Elizabeth, Queen

Mary, Kwong Wah, and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals to assist in the assessment of

occupational accidents."

In 1971, 38,306 occupational accidents were recorded. All cases were

investigated by Health Visitors and Industrial Health Nurses. Of these, 27,192

were reportable under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. These included

379 fatalities, 137 of which were seamen recruited in Hong Kong and 53 occurred

in the construction industry.

The average