XN000022-1981-12-19 — Page 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1981

GOVERNMENT HAS AN OBLIGATION, SAYS SIR PHILIP

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THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THAT IT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO EDUCATE BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON THE HAZARDS AND CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TAKING ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST NOISE-INDUCED DEAFNESS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LIONS KOWLOON SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE RUN BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, SIR PHILIP SAID EXAMINATION HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY AN ANTI-NOISE POLLUTION EXPERT WHO VISITED HONG KONG IN 1979 TO EXAMINE NOISE LEVELS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

+SHORTLY THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE REGULATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF NOISE EMANATING FROM THE OPERATION OF PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND TO PROVIDE EAR PROTECTORS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES TO WEAR, HE SAID.

+A WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO BE SET UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO CONSIDER WHETHER OTHER LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO PROTECT WORKER'S HEARING.

EARLIER, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH DEAFNESS IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY, IT DOES NOT IN ITSELF CRIPPLE A PERSON'S MENTAL FACULTIES.

+EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT CAN HELP TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF IMPAIRED HEARING AND HELP THOSE AFFLICTED TO LEAD A NORMAL LIFE.

+EARLY IDENTIFICATION, CRITICAL IN ANY FORM OF DISABILITY, IS BEING PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING PROGRAMME AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THE AGE OF FIVE.+

THIS PROGRAMME, WHICH HELPS TO IDENTIFY ANY FORM OF DEVIATE DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF A CHILD'S GROWTH, IS PROVIDED IN 34 GOVERNMENT FAMILY HEALTH CENTRES PERFORMING 100 000 EXAMINATIONS A YEAR, SIR PHILIP SAID.

THERE ARE PLANS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 13 CENTRES BY THE END OF THE DECADE, HE ADDED.

THIS PRE-SCHOOL SCREENING PROGRAMME IS FOLLOWED BY THE SCHOOL SCREENING SERVICE OFFERED TO PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. INCLUDED IN WHICH IS AN AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING PROGRAMME AVAILABLE TO ALL PRIMARY ONE PUPILS.

SPEECH AND AUDITORY TRAINING FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SEVERE HEARING IMPAIRMENT IS ALSO PROVIDED IN TWO SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTRES RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

/THESE TWC