XN000022-1990-04-20 — Page 6

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1990

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IMPLICATIONS OF SAFETY LAW EXPLAINED

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THE ENACTMENT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE IS AN IMPORTANT LANDMARK IN THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.

MR YEUNG WAS ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION.

"WHILE THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN MANUFACTURING HAS DECLINED FROM OVER 29,000 IN 1987 TO 24,600 LAST YEAR, AND WHILE THE INCIDENCE OF SERIOUS INJURIES CAUSED BY POWER DRIVER MACHINERY HAS ALSO DECLINED FROM A PEAK OF NEARLY 10,700 IN 1984 TO 6,700 IN 1989, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF ACCIDENTS HAS STAYED AT A RELATIVE HIGH LEVEL, HE SAID.

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MR YEUNG SAID THAT IN THE CASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, THE PICTURE WAS BLEAK. THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS HAD RISEN FROM 23,800 IN 1987 TO 24,600 LAST YEAR. THE ANNUAL ACCIDENT RATE HAD ALMOST DOUBLED, FROM ONE OUT OF EVERY FIVE WORKERS IN 1979 TO NEARLY TWO OUT OF EVERY FIVE IN 1989, HE SAID.

"IT IS AGAINST- THIS BACKGROUND THAT THE AMENDING ORDINANCE INTRODUCED THE SANCTION OF CUSTODIAL PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES, WHICH SHOULD GREATLY ENHANCE THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE LAW.

"MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT INTRODUCED A SET OF GENERAL OBLIGATIONS WHICH REQUIRE BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE THAT PRACTICES AT WORK AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT ARE SAFE.

"THE DUTY OF AN EMPLOYER IS NO LONGER LIMITED ΤΟ THE PASSIVE COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS. HE NOW HAS AN OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE EMPLOYED BY HIM ARE NOT EXPOSED TO AN UNSAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT."

FOR THE EMPLOYEE, MR YEUNG SAID, THE REQUIRED HIM TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO ENSURE SAFETY BUT ALSO THAT OF OTHERS WORKING WITH HIM.

"HE MUST CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYER AND OTHER THEM TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE,

AMENDING ORDINANCE NOT ONLY HIS OWN

P

PEOPLE то ENABLE

HE SAID.

"IN OTHER WORDS, ACCIDENT PREVENTION IS A PARTNERSHIP, WOULD WORK ONLY IF THE PARTIES CONCERNED CO-OPERATE FULLY.'

AND IT

MR YEUNG SAID THAT IN ORDER TO ALLOW TIME FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND THESE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO BRING THE AMENDING ORDINANCE INTO EFFECT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR 12 MONTHS AFTER ITS ENACTMENT.

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