XN000022-1993-11-20 — Page 5

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993

STATEMENT ON INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS

THAT

IN

IN RESPONSE ΤΟ PRESS REPORTS

259 PERSONS DIED INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT IT WAS GROSSLY MISLEADING.

"ACCORDING. TO ACCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 82 PERSONS DIED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, INCLUDING 71 DEATHS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY," MR CHAN SAID.

THE OTHER DEATHS WERE RESULTED FROM NON-INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS FALL OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.

WHICH

"I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THE INFORMATION WENT AMISS DESPITE OUR REPEATED EFFORTS TO CLARIFY THE SITUATION," HE ADDED.

MR CHAN REITERATED THAT THE EXISTING SAFETY LEGISLATION COULD COMPARE WITH MOST OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.

THERE ARE NOW IN HONG KONG 26 SETS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS COVERING ALMOST EVERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES, MR CHAN SAID.

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"ON TOP OF THEM, THERE 18 A CATCH-ALL 'GENERAL DUTIES PROVISION IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE PINPOINTING AT EMPLOYERS' OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AT WORK AND ALSO EMPLOYEES' RESPONSIBILITY то GIVE FULL. SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS.

NOT

SHOULD

ARE

ARE

"THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION BE GAUGED SOLELY BY ITS AGE IF ITS SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE APPLICABLE TO THE LOCAL SITUATION, AND THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ENFORCEABLE," HE STRESSED.

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"IN FACT, IT IS AN ON-GOING EXERCISE FOR THE DEPARTMENT CONSTANTLY REVIEW AND UPDATE THE SAFETY LEGISLATION AS WELL PREPARING ANCILLARY GUIDANCE NOTES, SAFETY INFORMATION AND CODES OF PRACTICE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW."

REVIEW AND AMENDMENT OF SAFETY REGULATIONS ARE MADE IN THE LIGHT OF ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE, NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, HE ADDED.

MR CHAN ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CONCERNED PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE PRO-ACTIVE ACTIONS CONCERTED EFFORTS TO MAKE THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH SUCCESS.

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